Mary Jo "Jodi" Martin

A memorial service celebrating the life of Mary Jo Hill Martin (Jodi) will be held at 10:00 am, on Friday, October 21, at Marvin United Methodist Church with Dr. Doug Baker presiding. She died October 16 after a courageous battle against lung disease. A private burial will be held before the service under the direction of Lloyd James Funeral Home.

The family will receive friends from 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm on Thursday at the funeral home. Jodi was born in Omaha, Nebraska, April 10, 1935 to the late Joseph Wolf Hill and Mary Elizabeth McKinney Hill. She was preceded in death by her brother, John Franklin Hill. She graduated from Benson High School in Omaha. She attended Texas State College for Women in Denton, Texas and thereafter attended and graduated from the University of Nebraska in 1957 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Education. Jodi was a member of Chi Omega Sorority. She met Fred William Martin (Bill) at the University on a blind date and they were married on April 16, 1957.

Bill's career took them to cities in Nebraska, Missouri, Texas, Oklahoma and back to Texas. Jodi met each new move with enthusiasm. In each city her warm hospitality was extended to new friends who quickly became her life-long friends. In the Dallas Lake Highlands area Jodi was always involved with the kids and their school while also organizing many neighborhood events. Her family, community involvement and organizing (in many areas) were significant parts of her life. In Tyler, where they have lived for the past 35 years she organized the Carrier Alert Program with the United States Post Office in Tyler. She served as Past President of The East Texas Crisis Center 1985, and The Chi Omega Alumnae and was Vice-Chairman of The Visitors and Conventions Development Council of Chamber of Commerce.

Jodi was a past board member of: Texas Society to Prevent Blindness, Mental Health Association, Parent's Service Center, East Texas Crisis Center, Sister Cities of Tyler Texas, and The University of Texas Ambassadors. She served on the Tyler Independent School District Foundation Board, Mother Frances Hospital Foundation Board, Texas Rose Festival Board of Directors, CattleBaron's Gala Committee, Planning and Zoning Commission for the City of Tyler, was a member of D.A.R; Chapter BO, P.E.O., Elder of First Presbyterian Church, Tyler, and upon their return back to Tyler in 2015, a member of Marvin United Methodist Church.

In 2000 retirement brought them to Fort Myers, Florida. For 15 years, she and Bill lived at Gulf Harbour. Always planning and organizing many parties, yachting trips, and air travel and cruises to different parts of the world gave her much happiness, treasured experiences and memories, and more cherished friends. While at Gulf Harbour Jodi was given the unique honor of serving as the First Woman Commodore of the Gulf Harbour Yacht and Country Club of Fort Myers, Florida. For the last three years she was Chairman of the United Way Campaign for the Gulf Harbour Yacht and Country Club of Fort Myers.

She is survived by her husband of almost 60 years, Bill; daughter, Amy Jo and husband Jeffery William Riestenberg, Highland Village, Texas; daughter, Sara Elizabeth and husband Richard Gerard Scholtes, Colorado Springs, Colorado; son, Reid William Martin and wife Stacy Marie Snider, Tyler; granddaughters Rachel Elizabeth Riestenberg, Sadie Cahill Riestenberg, Sophie Elizabeth Scholtes, Courtney Elizabeth Martin and husband Benton Russell Bagot, Elise Marie Martin, Kaitlyn Reid Martin and Olivia Hayes Martin and grandsons Bradley Martin Walker, Richard Joseph Scholtes.

Honorary Pallbearers are Reid Martin, Jeff Riestenberg, Rick Scholtes, Brad Walker, Benton Bagot, Ricky Scholtes and nephew, John Franklin Hill Jr.

The family wishes to express their gratitude to Dr. Lee Ridenour, Dr. Julie Philley, Gay Corbell, Miranda Morgan and her Tyler best-friends who never left her side.

If desired, contributions may be sent to the East Texas Crisis Center, Hospice of East Texas or the charity of your choice.

There will be a reception after the service for the family to greet friends.