Adored by her loving family, Donnie Jean Hudspeth Martin passed away May 9, 2024. She is survived by her children Robert E. Martin, Jr. and wife Jane of Las Vegas, NV, Anne M. Fletcher of St. Augustine, FL, and Steven J. Martin of Las Cruces, NM, as well as grandchildren Christopher Martin (Michelle) of Palmdale, CA, Dustin Martin (Katherine) of Lancaster, CA, Kelina Trier (Richard) of Lancaster, CA, Michael Fletcher of St. Augustine, FL, Jaron and Nizhoni Martin of Las Cruces, NM, and ten great-grandchildren Connor, Reagan, Max, and Mackenzie Martin; Charlotte, Locke, Gwen, and Penelope Martin; and Lilian and Scarlet Trier. She is also survived by several beloved nieces and nephews. Donnie was preceded in death by Robert Martin her husband of 71 years, parents Laura Emma McGee and James Clyde Hudspeth, along with five siblings, Pauline Badgley, Lois Smith, Ruth Taylor, Wayne Hudspeth, and Ferne Horton.
Donnie was born in Forestburg, Texas, December 1, 1928 but moved to Las Cruces, NM as soon as she could crawl. She graduated from Las Cruces Union High. She moved to Phoenix, AZ with her parents, then, after graduating from Arizona State University, she worked for the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).
She met her future husband, Lt. Robert (Bob) Martin at a dance at Williams AFB, AZ; they married on July 22, 1951. Following a 2-week honeymoon, Robert deployed to Korea, was shot down and listed as Missing in Action (MIA) while actually a Prisoner of War for 19 months. During this time, Donnie moved to Washington DC to advocate for MIAs. She met with Director of the FBI J. Edgar Hoover and worked for the Secretary of the Air Force Chief of Staff in the Pentagon. Her efforts led to Bob’s release in the last POW exchange of the Korean War. Donnie worked for the FBI again while Bob obtained his degree in Atlanta, GA and then they moved to Albuquerque, NM in 1958.
Donnie continued to be a role model as a Cub Scout den mother, a Bluebird leader, and an academician earning a Master of Education degree from the University of North Carolina. She advanced to Technical Information Officer for the Dept. of Energy in Albuquerque and later in Las Vegas, NV. In 1986 Good Housekeeping named her the Grand Prize winner in the “Things My Mother Taught Me” contest for the example she set for Anne to pursue a non-traditional career.
Donnie and Bob traveled all over the U.S. with their children, including an unforgettable trip up the AlCan Highway before it was paved. She adored travel, and visited everywhere in the world including Australia, China, Europe, Africa, South America, and India. For many years, Donnie loved playing bridge with her friends and enjoyed the Sandia Thunderbird retirees club in Albuquerque.
She will be interred at Arlington National Cemetery, Virginia in a deserving spot alongside her husband.
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