Lewis Lavert Martin

Lewis LaVert Martin, also known as Bert, was born in Bradley County, AR, on November 10, 1931 to Estelle McClain and Gill Martin. He was the 9th of 12 children and grew up fishing, squirrel hunting, picking cotton, lovingly arguing with his brothers and aggravating his sisters. He was a “mama’s boy” from the start - so much so that he told the love of his life they had to postpone the wedding because he had to take care of his sick mother until she passed. Fortunately, he changed his mind and married Betty Ann Thornton on March 2, 1955. His mother lived for 19 more years.

He had two girls, Vanya Martin and Brenda Martin-Colquitt, whom he doted on. He taught Vanya to play basketball, Brenda to fish, and always led by example. He was ready and willing to help anyone who had a need, was considered the “cool” dad because he sometimes played in the local teenager’s garage band, and was able to fix or build almost anything.

Vanya’s partner, Martha Buckner, became a loved member of the family, and Vert was always so proud of his “three girls”. His son-in-law, Brenda’s husband, Joel Colquitt was a loyal fishing buddy and regularly fixed Vert’s favorite meal of squirrel gravy and biscuits once Vert could no longer hunt.

He worked for the Houston Belt and Terminal railroad for 38 years and made friends for a lifetime. Once he retired, he became the official greeter of Splendora First Baptist Church. Everyone was welcomed by his easy smile and a friendly handshake.

Vert and Betty loved spending time with family and friends. Over time the lines blurred and friends became family and family became friends. Fish fries, game nights, and trips to the lake were the norm and no one had more family reunions than the Martins.

He was the go-to grandfather and second-dad to Carissa Rhea Magras, Vanya’s daughter. Carissa spent many hours swimming with him in the pool, and many nights at his house where he became the victim of tickle fights and borrowed tee-shirts. Carissa married Brandon Magras and they made Vert a proud great-granddad with Jesse and Providence.

Vert was also the beloved grandfather to Case Mitchell and Abbey Mitchell-O’Hare, Brenda’s children. Case and Vert loved going to basketball tournaments, talking about God, and picking on each other. When faced with learning to drive a stick-shift, Abbey chose her Papa to teach her and she regularly stopped by to check on him and her Granny. When Abbey married Patrick O’Hare, Vert helped them stuff their invitations and was so proud of his beautiful granddaughter at their wedding.

With so many brothers and sisters, there were even more nieces and nephews. Uncle Vert loved each and every one of them and made sure he got to see them regularly by hosting two family re-unions a year and attending a third in Arkansas.

When his wife Betty died, Vert was adrift. She had been the center of his world for 55 years and he never got over her loss. At least once a day, he would talk about how much he missed her, and would often say of her death, “Betty had to go and act up on me.”

As time passed and his health declined, Dianne Hayes stepped in first as a housekeeper, then as a caregiver, and eventually as a good friend. Because of Dianne, Vert was able to live out his last days comfortably at home in the familiar surroundings he shared with Betty. Dianne was a God-send on many levels and we are so thankful for her.

Vert was welcomed to his eternal home by his Lord on April 17, 2017, joining his soulmate Betty and so many other family and friends who had gone on before him. He was a simple, God-fearing, fun-loving and caring man. Many have said he was a pillar of Splendora, “one of the good guys”. He will be missed by many, but his story and legacy will live on through those he whose lives were changed because they knew him.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you make a donation in his name to one of the following because that is what he would really want:

· The Alzheimer’s Association of Houston
6055 South Loop East
Houston, TX 77087-1005

· Splendora First Baptist Church
P.O. Box 1179
Splendora, Texas 77372

· Someone you know that is in need of a helping hand