Suzanne Laurie Martin

Suzanne Laurie Degens Martin, 86, passed away peacefully at home on Feb. 7, 2025. She was born on March 30, 1938, in Pontiac, Michigan to Herbert and Laurie Degens. The family moved several times in her early years, finally settling in Galena Park, Texas. Suzanne always considered Texas as her home state.

At seventeen, she met the love of her life Charlie Martin, and they married in Texas after a short courtship. They then moved to Hot Springs where they raised their five children, Belinda (Kurt) Hunter, Frank (Linda) Martin, John Martin, Jim Martin, Cecil (Anita) Martin. They were blessed with ten grandchildren, Kimberlee (Shane) Abernathy, Trent (Elyse) Hunter, Charlie H. Martin II, Danielle Martin, Payton (Vinh) Vu, Chase Martin, London (Cristian) Martin, McKree (Emily) Martin, Reece (Thania) Martin, India Martin and bonus grandchildren, Amber (Jeremy) Womack and Shawna Coburn. They also have 9 great-grandchildren, Jane and Hunter Abernathy, Hannah and Hollee Hunter, Kyler and Rylee Vu, Angel and Sonny Machuca and Atlas Martin, along with 4 bonus great-grandchildren, Leslie-Ann and Rosten Womack and Jack and Leila Coburn. Suzanne is survived by her husband of 69 years, her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. She is also survived by sister, Jill Conyer, and life-long friend Dorothy Holmes, along with numerous nieces and nephews.

She is predeceased by her parents, and her twin sister, Joanne Jones.

Suzanne worked for many years as front desk manager at Holiday Inn. She never met a stranger and made many friends along the way. Her last endeavor, before retirement, was running Family Video on Airport Road.

Suzanne was a lover of dogs and raised many breeds through the years. She never met a puppy she didn’t love.

Pallbears will be her grandsons; Trent, Charlie, Chase, McKree, and Reece. 

Burial will be a graveside service at Shiloh Cemetery in Amity AR on Thursday, February 13, 2025 at 10:00am.

The family would like to thank Arkansas Hospice for the care and compassion they showed to our mother, in her last years. They always went the extra mile to make sure mom was comfortable.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to Arkansas Hospice or the Humane Society of Garland County in honor of Suzanne.