EMMA ADCOCK MARTIN
Emma Adcock Martin of 900 W. Church St., Ahoskie, N.C., died in Roanoke-Chowan Hospital on Sunday, Feb. 19, 2012
Reared in Marshville, N.C., she was the daughter of the late John A. and Nettie Horton Adcock and the widow of former Hertford County Schools superintendent Russell P. Martin, who died in 1992.
Survivors include her brother, James Edward Adcock of Inverness, Fla.,; godsons Allen Whitaker Powell of Raleigh, N.C., and Russell Christopher Powell of Las Vegas, N.V.; and their wives, Elizabeth Tayloe Powell of Raleigh and Missy Phetteplace Powell of Las Vegas.
She was preceded in death by her brother, John Henry Adcock of Florence, S.C., her sister, Margaret Adcock Henderson of Mooresville, N.C.; and her close friend, Dorothy Marks Powell of Ahoskie, N.C.
Other survivors include her nieces, Deborah Adcock Brown of Pooler, Ga.; Carol Adcock Ryall of Lexington, S.C.; Rev. Margaret Ann Jorgensen of Memphis, Tenn.; Nancy Henderson Russell of Lewisville, N.C.; Rebekah Henderson Megerian of Asheboro, N.C.; Delia Henderson of Cleveland, N.C.; and Penny Martin Gilliland of Midlothian, Va.; and her nephews, Andrew (Mack) McKnitt Henderson of Georgetown, S.C.; and James Edward Adcock II of Conyers, Ga.; as well as 13 great nieces and nephews.
Mrs. Martin, a retired teacher of both French and English, graduated from Marshville High School and received undergraduate degrees in education from Wingate College and East Carolina Teachers College. She also completed post-graduate studies at Mars Hill College.
She taught in public schools in the North Carolina communities of Farmville, Jamesville, Windsor and Ahoskie, retiring in 1981 from the Hertford County School system. Among her many contributions to the education of young people was her role as advisor of the Ahoskie High School Beta Club, which was long recognized as one of the top Beta Clubs in North Carolina. Mrs. Martin was cited for numerous accolades during her career in education.
She was a faithful member of Ahoskie First Baptist Church where, for many years, she led a Sunday School class for young people. In retirement, she was an active member of the Hertford County Retired Teachers Association.
A Celebration of Life service will be held Thursday, February 23, 2012 at 2:00 PM at the First Baptist Church of Ahoskie. Dr. Daniel Glaze will officiate.
The family will receive visitors from 6-8 p.m. Wednesday in the home.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to any of the following organizations: Ahoskie First Baptist Church (PO Box 649, Ahoskie, N.C., 27910); Hertford County High School Beta Club (1500 W. First Street, Ahoskie, NC. 27910); Hertford County Retired Teachers Association (411 Holly Hill Road, Murfreesboro, N.C., 27855).
Friends and family may send online condolences to www.garrettjonesfh.com
Garrett-Jones Funeral Home of Ahoskie is serving the Martin family
I had Ms Martin as a teaher from yrs 1978 to 1981 at Ahoskie High School. She was a lovely lady and I know she is with the Angels. My condolences go out to her family and friends.
I have many fond memories of Mrs. Martin from four years of French in high school, Beta Club and our trip to Europe in the summer of 1974. She truly found her calling as a teacher. She pushed us all to achieve but did so with wit and warmth. My thoughts are with Chris, Whit and the rest of her family.
Mrs. Martin was an icon. On Day 1 in her French class, she spoke nothing but French and never waivered for four years. One would have thought it was her mother tongue. Four years with her would carry you far in any university. She was also a stickler for correct English. So I was relieved when her obituary mentioned that she was “reared,” not “raised.” As any of her students will recall, pigs and chickens are raised; children are reared. Beyond her teaching skills, however, she was workhorse in her church and community, even into her later years. She made her mark in everything she did. She will be remembered for her wit, spunk, sensitivity and wise counsel. What an inspirational lady!
She was one of my teachers at Ahoskie High, one of my favorites. She was always very kind.
Miss Emma will be long remembered as a great teacher and student leader/church member/friend/kind hearted and plenty of wit/and the ability to be sharper and current than whoever she was sharing her time with/we will miss you much/Gregoire
Sorry about Mrs. Martin’s passing. I was in the Windsor School system (a l954 graduate)when she and Mr. Martin were there in the late 40’s, early 50’s in leadership positions. These were two wonderful people with a love for teaching. I have nothing but wonderful memories under their guidance.
Mrs. Martin was such a great teacher she made learning fun. I enjoyed every class, both English and two years of French. We have lost a wonderful lady; my condolences to all her family. Sharon
Our condolences to all of Mrs. Martin’s family and friends. She was indeed one of my favorite teachers and counselers through the Beta Club. I still remember her favorite French words that she used on me quite often, “Taisez-vous”; but sometimes she just said “Shush Gilbert”. (-;
My thoughts and prayers!
Gil
We will all miss Mrs. Martin. She had such an impact on all our lives. As a young girl from Eastern N.C., I will be forever grateful for her courage to take a group of us High School students to France. She opened up the world to us and we will truly miss her.
I will never forget Mrs. Martin. She was always so kind and thoughtful. She tried so hard to help me learn French. She earned an “A” for giving me the passing grade to get my 2 years of Foreign Language in!!!