Mary Ella Martin

Mary Ella (Beaty) Martin, 92, of Emmet, passed away January 8, 2021. Daughter of Joe and Mae Beaty. Preceded in death by her husband, Robert Jake Martin; her parents; brother, Joe Douglas; and sister, Margie (Beaty) Reyenga. Survived by her brother, Bill Beaty; son, Robert Jake Martin, Jr., and his wife Noy; grandsons, Jim, Mike and their families. Mary Ella grew up in Emmet during the depression living both in town and on the family farm. She attended Emmet schools through the 11th grade. Using a wartime program, she skipped the 12th grade and attended college in Magnolia. Throughout her life she would continue to attend schools earning a BS and MSE from SAU and University of Central Arkansas, respectively, also completing post-graduate work in 5 additional universities in Arkansas and Texas. Her career encompassed social work as a state welfare agent in southwest Arkansas, educator in Nevada County, Longview, Texas, Grand Junction, Colo., and Pulaski County Special School District in Arkansas. In the 70's she was a field representative for the (AEA) Arkansas Education Association. In that capacity she helped organize teachers around the state. She was well known to public officials in state education circles and the legislature. During legislative sessions she lobbied for teachers rights and improvements in the education system. In 1971, she ran and was elected to the Pulaski County school board. The PCSSD was, at that time, the largest school district in the state with 53 schools and 29,000 students. She resigned from the AEA in late 70's to become assistant superintendent of student personnel to the PCSSD. Mary retired in 1987, to move back to her native Nevada County with Robert. In retirement she maintained her involvement in community service at both local and state levels. She was elected to the Nevada County school board and in 1991 became state president of the Arkansas School Board Association. With her lifelong love of reading and commitment to furthering the education of children and adults she was selected to serve on the library board in Nevada County. During her time on the board a new county library was constructed: providing the community with access to books, computers, and enrichment programs. In 1996 both her mother and Robert passed away. During the next few years, she became less involved in community activities and spent more time reading and occasionally traveling across the USA and Great Britain with friends and family. In 2002 Robert, Jr. (Bob) retired and moved back to live in Nevada County. In 2003, health problems led to her moving over to a new home with Bob and Noy. She remained with them until her death on January 8th. Mary Ella was a natural leader and organizer. Stephen Ambrose used "undaunted courage", as the title of his book about the Lewis and Clark expedition exploring the Louisiana Purchase. That title aptly described Mary Ella as daughter, wife, mother, educator, and administrator. A former associate requested Mary Ella to present the eulogy at her funeral because "Mary Ella would charge hell with a glass of water". Her courage and sense of doing what was right will be greatly missed by family, friends, and associates. The family would like to thank Kindred Hospice and Southern Caregivers of Texarkana for their help and support over the last month. With the rise of Covid -19 the family feels it would be a disservice to friends and family to gather for a funeral. A private burial will be followed by a remembrance service at a later date under the direction of Herndon-Fuqua Funeral Home Prescott. Express your public condolences at www.herndonfuquafuneralhomes.com or private letters of love at www.herndonfuquafuneralhomes.com/page/letters-of-love.