Sarah Joanne Martin of Bonifay, Fl passed away Thursday, April 11, 2019. She was born April 17, 1938 in Knoxville, TN to Dr. Harold Harmon Walker and Ruth Marsh Walker. Sarah grew up in Knoxville along with her older sister, Betsy.
She attended McCampbell Elementary and Christenberry Junior High Schools. She was the in the first graduating class of the then-new Fulton High School. Sarah was and active child that loved being outdoors. In those days before air-conditioning, summers were spent with relatives in Maine. Sarah loved swimming in the nearby river and picking juicy raspberries and blueberries. She attended Bates College in Main for a year and then finished her degree in Knoxville at the University of Tennessee. She taught elementary school for a year in Indiana and continued teaching in Michigan where she met her husband, Paul Martin. In 1968, along with their daughter Harmony, they moved to Juneau, AK for the next chapter in their teaching careers. Later they settled in Anchorage, AK. On July 1, 1980 Sarah and her daughter Harmony moved to Bonifay, FL where she resided until her death.
Sarah loved music, creative writing, and various crafts. She loved the outdoors, her flowers, socializing with friends, and her beloved pets during her years in Florida. Bud, Einstein, and Willie held special places in her heart for their loyal companionship.
Sarah also enjoyed travel, especially a trip made with her daughter and son-in-law to New Zealand and Autstraila and several Road Scholar trips with her sister. Alaska was always special to her though. She loved to reminisce about her adventures in Alaska, especially her fishing adventures on Kenai River. She had many dear friends there that she kept in contact with over the years and that she missed dearly, especially Collie Johansen of Anchorage, AK. Sara attended the local Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses where she also left behind many dear friends. Their calls and visits were much appreciated during her time of illness.
Survivors include one daughter, Harmony Rathbun and her husband Chris, one grandson, Christopher Jared Rathbun of Bonifay, sister Betsy Reitbauer of Ann Arbor, MI, nephew Larry Reitbauer of Brigham, UT, niece, Susan Dice of Tecumseh, MI, and one great niece, Allison also of Tecumseh, MI.
Expressions of sympathy may be submitted online www.williamsfhs.com.
Williams Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
