Leola Martin, as we called her -Mama, Mother Martin, Aunt Leola, Grandmother, and Great Great, was born on September 16, 1925, in Reform, Alabama. The Spruill family (Leola’s family name) moved to Detroit, Michigan and later some of the Spruill family decided to settle in Akron, Ohio.  After graduation from high school, she began working at Ohio Edison where she was the first person of color to work in the Hospitality Department. She primarily worked for the president of the company and later promoted to the role of Office Administrator. Leola was attentive to the needs of her family and friends, and was able to get some of them hired at the company as well.

She accepted Christ early in life and was an active member of the church. Leola believed more than anything that God was her Savior and her favorite scripture was Psalms 23, “The Lord is my Shepherd….

Mother Leola Martin loved to serve the Lord and she always gave back by doing what she believed God called her to do. As a member of United Baptist Church under the pastorship of Reverend Dr. Roderick C. Pounds, Sr., who at the time was only 23 years old. Mother Martin jokingly told him that, “You couldn’t teach me anything due to your age”, and she playfully called him “Ricky”. The two of them grew to be close and that relationship birthed the first prayer team, where Mother Martin was president for over 35 years.  In addition, Mother Martin was also President of Evangelistic team, President of the Missionary Society, Superintendent of Sunday School, member of the Deaconess Board and participated in the food pantry. We are grateful that Mother Martin had a vision for the prayer breakfast and it has blessed her church and her community. Although Mother Martin was unable to attend church physically due to her health, she continued to support the ministry. “Well done, good and faithful servant! “, such an exceptional woman of God.

After moving to Akron, she was united in marriage to Flennoral “Flenn” Martin and to this union, they raised seven (7) children: Douglas, Nabeeh, Barbara, Ronnie, Richard, Charles, and Theopolis (Tommy).

Leola Martin is preceded in death by her husband, Flennoral “Flenn” Martin; daughter, Barbara Turner; sons, Ronald Martin and Theopolis Martin; parents, Charles and Annie Gilkey; sister, and brother-in-law, Madeline (Eddie) Stevens of Waynesburg; as well as many other loved ones.

She leaves to cherish her memory forever and ever, children, Douglas (Ruth) Woodley and Richard Martin of California, Nabeeh (Karen) Waheed, and Charles (Shar) Martin and daughter-in-law, Rebecca Martin of Akron; many loving grandchildren, great grandchildren, and great great grandchildren; special dedicated Christian friends, Beulah McDay, Diane Wharton, Doris Pickett, Deacon Moore Jr. (Denese), April Turner and Pat Donofrio; as well as a host of nieces, nephews, and friends. The family would like to acknowledge Bishop Kenneth Paramore and his wife for being Mother Martin’s prayer partner and friend for all these years.