Barbara Rose Martin

Barbara Rose Martin of Benton, Ark. died June 17, 2011 at St. Vincent Hospital in Little Rock, Ark. Barbara was born April 30, 1942 in Shreveport, La., the daughter of Robert Chester Rose and Gladys Blackmon Rose. She was preceded in death by her parents and her brother Robert Chester Rose, Jr. Barbara spent her childhood in northeast Louisiana where she met her husband (Jim) James B. Martin. They were married March 3, 1962 at New Prospect Baptist Church in Darnell, La. Jim and Barbara moved to Benton in 1973. She was a member of Calvary Baptist Church in Benton. As a business professional she owned and operated BRM Association Management and Services, Inc. in which she managed three Statewide Associations. Prior to her forming BRM Association, she served on the Arkansas Optometric Association as Executive Director and previously held the position of Pulaski County Election Coordinator. Barbara was well know in the hospitality industry and held positions at the Statehouse Convention Center, Excelsior Hotel, Hot Springs Convention Center, and the Little Rock Convention Center. Barbara is survived by her husband Jim; her daughters, Cindy Stracener (Doug) of Benton, Ark., Sheri Kelley (Jeff) of Mt. Juliet, Tenn., and her son, James B. Martin, Jr. (Karen) of Lebanon, Tenn.; her Sister-in-law Norma Rose of Many, La., her brother, Charles D Rose (Mary Ann) of Dallas, and her sister Martha Rose Lower (Jack) of New Smyrna Beach, Fla. She is also survived by five grandchildren, Katy Stracener, Conor Martin, Bret Stracener, Blake Kelley, and Loryn Kelley and many nieces and nephews. Family will receive friends Sunday, June 19, from 3–5 p.m. at Roller-Ballard Funeral Home in Benton, 501-315-4047. Funeral services will be held at Roller-Ballard in Benton, Monday June 20, at 12 p.m. with Bro. Frank Thurman officiating. Burial will be at Pinecrest Memorial Park following the service. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to the Arkansas Baptist Children's Home in memory of Barbara. Online guestbook www.rollerfuneralhomes.com/ballard.