Roberta Joan King Martin

On Saturday, Nov. 9, 2013, Roberta Joan King Martin finished her adventure and labors in this life and returned home to be with her sweetheart, in our Father's Kingdom. Daughter of Earl Robert King and Lela Hazel White King, Bobbie was born in Bremerton, Wash., on Sept. 22, 1932. She married George Dewey Martin Jr. in 1950 and went on to build their family, living in and around Bellingham, Wash., for 53 years. Early in their marriage, they spent two years in Toledo, Ohio.

Bobbie was a very talented, attentive wife and mother. She was a support to her husband through the years, in their many endeavors. They owned and operated a butcher shop, Meridian Meat Lockers, where Bobbie managed the storefront and did the business accounting, all the while juggling the many family activities. Later she went to work for Metcalf & Hodges as an accountant and eventually started her own accounting business to facilitate the hours she spent raising their children. Bobbie loved music and participated in many church music programs and sang with the Sweet Adeline's. Her greatest accomplishments are seen in the support that she continually gave to her husband and children in the many projects, goals and dreams that evolved and were realized through the years.

Bobbie served in many capacities for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Bellingham, Wash., and was called as a missionary with her husband, George, to run an employment center in Bellingham and again they served in Charlotte, N.C., for two years, managing an employment center and organizing other centers throughout the region.

In 2006, George and Bobbie moved to Nevada, Mo., and then recently to Fort Scott, Kan., where Bobbie served as a youth seminary teacher and in other various capacities for the church.

A strong theme running through Bobbie's life is that of service. Through the years, there are many who have come to know her sweet kindness and strength through her thoughtful gestures of service. Bobbie and George have been married for nearly 63 years and his passing two months ago was a painful separation. She has gone now to join her sweetheart and eternal companion. She will be greatly missed here, but no doubt there was a wonderful and sweet reunion on the other side.

Bobbie was preceded in death by her husband George E. Martin, her parents, a brother, a sister, two sons and one granddaughter. She leaves behind: children, Harold and Jacky Martin of Fort Scott, Kan., Becky and Bob Cohn of Navarre, Fla., Tami and Richard Hutchens of Maryville, Tenn., Chuck and Liane Martin of Meridian, Idaho, and Bill and Linda Martin of Maple Falls, Wash.; siblings-in-law, Marlene and Dave Johnson of Edmonds, Wash., Gordon and Joanie Martin of Wenatchee, Wash.; 20 grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; and numerous friends and extended family. Bobbie will be greatly missed, but her legacy of love and service will permeate through time, down through generations.

Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, Nov. 13, at 5:30 p.m., at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Fort Scott, Kan. A graveside memorial will be held at Woodlawn Cemetery in Ferndale, Wash.