Billie Stephens Martin

Billie Stephens Martin was born in Dawson County, Georgia on Christmas day in 1929, the 10th child of Robert Ernest “Scrap” Stephens and Amanda Caroline Bell Stephens. She spent her childhood working and playing with her brothers and sisters on a family farm. As a teenager, she met a young soldier named Joseph Porter Martin who had just returned from WWII and married him while her sister, Peg, married Joe’s best friend, Gene. Billie and Joe eventually moved to Columbus, Georgia where he worked in the mills and Billie stayed at home and raised their family. She eventually decided to enter the workforce raising many fine young men and women as their day care provider at Britt David Baptist Church. She very much enjoyed traveling later in life to the beach and to the mountains with her girlfriends and always had fun stories to tell about their many adventures. Her favorite times were those spent with her family and most especially her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. For many yesars, the entire family met at her home for dinner one night a week and enjoyed the best cooking including biscuits and gravy, cubed steak, homemade beef chili, and taco salad - just to name a few of the favorites!

Billie was predeceased by her parents, six sisters, three brothers, her husband Joseph Porter Martin and her granddaughter-in-law, Jamin Ingram Martin. She is survived by her younger sister, Marge Stephens Hamilton of Gainesville, Georgia; Daughter: Joanne (Fred) Chambers of Phenix City, Alabama; Sons: Michael Joseph Martin of Columbus, Georgia and Stephen Lane (Sherry) Martin of Phenix City, Alabama; Grandchildren: Scott Edward (Becky) Mitja of Catula, Georgia, Staci Mitja (Adam) Taylor of Phenix City, Alabama; Brittany Martin (Bill) Turner of Miami, Oklahoma; Jared Lane (Bethany) Martin of Orlando, Florida; Estin Clayton (Kaylee) Martin of Phenix City, Alabama; Dison Kendrick Martin of Kansas City, Kansas; Wesley Scott (Tara) Chambers and Darrell Ray Chambers of Phenix City, Alabama; Great Grandchildren: Emily Mitja (Andy) Cook of Phenix City, Alabama; Seth Christian Mitja of Pine Mountain, Georgia; Addyson Rylee Taylor of Phenix City, Alabama; Olivia Kimberley Martin of Orlando, Florida; Ruby Nicole Turner Of Miami, Oklahoma; Amber Lynn Chambers, Lesley Rae Chambers, Dalton Colby Chambers, Kathleigh Grace Chambers, Wesley Tison Chambers, and Addyson Rylee Taylor all of Phenix City, Alabama; Great-Great Grandchildren: Jack Remington Cook and Andie Elizabeth Cook of Phenix City, Alabama; numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and other relatives and friends.

The Martin family would like to express their gratitude to her care-givers, Sandy Herring, Wanda Sherman, Rhonda Young, and Teresa Presley; Columbus Hospice; and Dr. Greg Foster for his loving care provided over the last few years of her life here on earth. Donations in her memory should be sent ot Columbus Hospice, www.columbushospice.com in memory of Billie Stephens Martin.

At her request, a private memorial service will be held at the graveside for family and friends at a future date with Rev. Grant Parker of Epworth UMC of Phenix City, Alabama officiating.