Dorothy Arlene Martin
Dorothy Arlene (Davis) Martin (aka Dottie), of Charlotte, Michigan, peacefully passed away on May 26, 2024, at the age of 98.
Dorothy was born on March 23, 1926, to Ford and Helen Davis in Lansing, Michigan. She was preceded in death by her husband of 34 years, Duane Earl Martin; parents; brothers, Ford, Jr., Jud and Fred; sisters, Barbara and Myrna; sons-in-law, Jan Paul Benedict and Jeffrey C. Ripley. She is survived by her eight children: Tonya (Barry) Ashley of Charlotte, Michigan; Linda Willis of Dimondale, Michigan; Carol (Travis) Combs of Kingwood, Texas; Janice Ward of Dimondale, Michigan; Kathy (Tom) Jones of Charlotte, Michigan; Dan (Barb) Martin of Charlotte, Michigan; Dennis (Renee) Martin of Mulliken, Michigan; Brenda Benedict of Emory, Texas; 23 grandchildren; 59 great-grandchildren and 11 great-great-grandchildren.
Dorothy loved decorating her house on all holidays, especially Christmas with trees all over and celebrating them with her friends and family. She loved working in her yard and had quite the green thumb. Always room for more plants, she would say! Receiving a bouquet of flowers or a plant of any kind always made her smile; and her smile would light up a room! She loved growing up with a large family. A hero at the young age of 5 when she saved her blind grandmother from their burning home. She enjoyed the outdoors and was an excellent ice skater; once having been told by a professional skater that she was good enough to become professional. She said instead she fell in love and married Duane in June of 1943 in Lansing, Michigan. Together they raised a large family of their own. In 1968 they moved from the city living of Lansing to the country living of Charlotte. Although it was only 5 acres, the family called it “the farm.” There were cows, chickens, dogs, and cats; large gardens were grown and cultivated and many enjoyable years of family gatherings, ballgames, winter activities and so much fun!
Dorothy attended Eastern High School and proudly received her GED from Charlotte High School in 1979. She worked at GM Parts Plant and Fisher Body for 10 years combined. After retiring from Fisher Body, she worked at Hallmark Special Occasions for 15 years. Working there was a real joy to her; she cherished the time there and the many friends she made. She was a member and volunteer at Eaton Senior Center and past member of Red Hatters (Crimson Cuties) of Charlotte. She was a devout Christian and member of Discovery Fellowship Church. She was passionate about her family and her church family. Generous, kind, thoughtful, loving and strong are words her family uses to best describe their mom. Although they know that she is with our Lord and Savior, she is and will be greatly missed.
The family would like to give special thanks to Pastor Greg Nitchman and all the wonderful nurses and staff who cared for their mom at Eaton Gardens-ECHRS of Charlotte.
Friends are encouraged to support Dorothy’s family by sharing memories on her Tribute Page at www.prayfuneral.com. Visitation was Thursday, May 30, 2024, 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Pray Funeral Home in Charlotte. A Celebration of Life Service was Friday, May 31, 2024, 11:00 a.m. at Pray Funeral Home with Pastor Greg Nitchman officiating. The funeral will be webcast so you may watch it from any computer, smartphone, or mobile device that has internet access. Go to www.prayfuneral.com, click on Dorothy’s tribute, then click on Photos and Videos from your computer (or Media from your smart phone). In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be made to Discovery Fellowship Church, PO Box 357, Charlotte, MI 48813. The family is in the care of Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte.