Eleanor N. Martin
Eleanor Nell Martin was born April 22, 1934 in Memphis, Tennessee out of the loving relationship of Leon Wynn, and Jessie Mae Matlock. Throughout her life she would affectionately be called Nell. She accepted Christ at an early age and remained a loyal servant beginning at Berea where she served on usher board #2 for 40 years and culminating with membership at Trinity Faith UMC. Nell spent her early childhood growing up with her aunts and uncles in Memphis but moved with her mother to Highland Park Michigan in 1942. They settled on Trumbull and it is here where she developed her first and most enduring friendship with Loretta Ward (Deloach). Nell attended Highland Park Schools from Willard Elementary through Highland Park High where she graduated with the class of 1952. During this time, she developed a love for poetry and for the rest of her life would be called upon to recite "The Creation" from the Book of Genesis, and "In the Morning" by Paul Laurence Dunbar. She then attended Highland Park Junior College where she met Ernest Martin whom she married in July of 1954. The ceremony took place at her uncle Theotis's home and Loretta was her Maid of Honor. From this union she bore two sons, Phillip Alphonzo, and Reginald Adelbert Martin. After JC she became a licensed cosmetologist and worked with Jean Green. The beauty shop was in the garage of 328 Ford. The Trent's lived upstairs, The Waymer's next door, The Bright's across the street, and Ms. Cotton, Edna Young and Mona could be seen getting a press and curl. Nell and Ernie then moved to Trumbull where the lifelong bond between The Martin's and Paritee's was cemented. Vera and Nell remained best friends for the rest of her life. Years later, after Nell became physically limited Vera and Novice would regularly take her to church to enjoy service and fellowship at Trinity Faith. Nell moved into dentistry around 1962 and became a Certified Dental Assistant. She started with Dr. Joe Rhinehart on Joy Rd and Dexter. She remained in the profession until her retirement from Wayne County in 1998. She was passionate about her profession and was a charter member of the Wolverine Dental Assistants Association, and organizer for the national association. During this time, she developed another enduring relationship with Dorothy (Dot) Dash. Nell and Dot along with Betty Solomon, and Virginia Floyd never missed the annual dental convention. Nell and Dot went on to become travel buddies visiting many international destinations. Nell did not have many hobbies, but she absolutely loved to dance. She played a little golf and was passionate about dentistry. She was a pretty good politician and developed a reputation as a campaign strategist and for delivering the absentee ballot vote. She made a mean banana pudding too. Her true hobby though was her sons Phillip and Reggie and being there for you when you needed her. Nell would give you her last dime or the shirt off her back. Over the years she continually came through for so many friends and family when their backs were up against a wall. After being involved with Highland Park for more than 40 years Nell bought into the Hyde Park Community where she resided for 33 years until her condo was destroyed by fire in January of 2018 at which time she moved in with her eldest son Phillip and his loving wife Peggy until declining dementia caused a need to reach out to The Farmington Hills Inn, her last place of residence. Eleanor Nell Martin made her transition on Monday May 11, 2020 after battling the effects of Covid-19. She was preceded by her former husband Ernest and Reggie her youngest son. She leaves to mourn her loving and devoted son Phillip and daughter in law Peggy, daughter in law Tammy, loving grandsons Galen, Trae and granddaughter in law LaKeisha, great granddaughters Alaya and Ariene, two uncles Theotis, and Heyman, three aunts Margaret, Doris, and Gertrude, and a ton of cousins and friends. Nell's favorite song was God Bless the Child That's Got His Own, and Eleanor Nell Martin absolutely did!Obituary
Eleanor Nell Martin was born April 22, 1934 in Memphis, Tennessee out of the loving relationship of Leon Wynn, and Jessie Mae Matlock. Throughout her life she would affectionately be called Nell. She accepted Christ at an early age and remained a loyal servant beginning at Berea where she served on usher board #2 for 40 years and culminating with membership at Trinity Faith UMC. Nell spent her early childhood growing up with her aunts and uncles in Memphis but moved with her mother to Highland Park Michigan in 1942. They settled on Trumbull and it is here where she developed her first and most enduring friendship with Loretta Ward (Deloach). Nell attended Highland Park Schools from Willard Elementary through Highland Park High where she graduated with the class of 1952. During this time, she developed a love for poetry and for the rest of her life would be called upon to recite "The Creation" from the Book of Genesis, and "In the Morning" by Paul Laurence Dunbar. She then attended Highland Park Junior College where she met Ernest Martin whom she married in July of 1954. The ceremony took place at her uncle Theotis's home and Loretta was her Maid of Honor. From this union she bore two sons, Phillip Alphonzo, and Reginald Adelbert Martin. After JC she became a licensed cosmetologist and worked with Jean Green. The beauty shop was in the garage of 328 Ford. The Trent's lived upstairs, The Waymer's next door, The Bright's across the street, and Ms. Cotton, Edna Young and Mona could be seen getting a press and curl. Nell and Ernie then moved to Trumbull where the lifelong bond between The Martin's and Paritee's was cemented. Vera and Nell remained best friends for the rest of her life. Years later, after Nell became physically limited Vera and Novice would regularly take her to church to enjoy service and fellowship at Trinity Faith. Nell moved into dentistry around 1962 and became a Certified Dental Assistant. She started with Dr. Joe Rhinehart on Joy Rd and Dexter. She remained in the profession until her retirement from Wayne County in 1998. She was passionate about her profession and was a charter member of the Wolverine Dental Assistants Association, and organizer for the national association. During this time, she developed another enduring relationship with Dorothy (Dot) Dash. Nell and Dot along with Betty Solomon, and Virginia Floyd never missed the annual dental convention. Nell and Dot went on to become travel buddies visiting many international destinations. Nell did not have many hobbies, but she absolutely loved to dance. She played a little golf and was passionate about dentistry. She was a pretty good politician and developed a reputation as a campaign strategist and for delivering the absentee ballot vote. She made a mean banana pudding too. Her true hobby though was her sons Phillip and Reggie and being there for you when you needed her. Nell would give you her last dime or the shirt off her back. Over the years she continually came through for so many friends and family when their backs were up against a wall. After being involved with Highland Park for more than 40 years Nell bought into the Hyde Park Community where she resided for 33 years until her condo was destroyed by fire in January of 2018 at which time she moved in with her eldest son Phillip and his loving wife Peggy until declining dementia caused a need to reach out to The Farmington Hills Inn, her last place of residence. Eleanor Nell Martin made her transition on Monday May 11, 2020 after battling the effects of Covid-19. She was preceded by her former husband Ernest and Reggie her youngest son. She leaves to mourn her loving and devoted son Phillip and daughter in law Peggy, daughter in law Tammy, loving grandsons Galen, Trae and granddaughter in law LaKeisha, great granddaughters Alaya and Ariene, two uncles Theotis, and Heyman, three aunts Margaret, Doris, and Gertrude, and a ton of cousins and friends. Nell's favorite song was God Bless the Child That's Got His Own, and Eleanor Nell Martin absolutely did!