Reta Martin Obituary

Reta Lynn Kretzler Martin

Reta Martin, 75, a resident of the "Thomas Mill Creek Community" of Abbeville, Alabama, passed away on Saturday, August 10, 2024, at Southeast Health following a 10 year extended illness.

Reta was born in Dayton, Ohio, on January 20,1949, to Carl Donald Kretzler and Esther Marie Balsbaugh. She grew up in Dayton, and moved as a teenager with her family to Camarillo, California and graduated from Camarillo High School. Her future husband, Jerry R. Martin, was stationed at Oxnard Air Force Base and they met and fell in love. Reta, I wasn't looking when I met you but you turned out to be every thing I was looking for.

After marriage to Jerry on December 18, 1967, they moved back to his hometown of Dothan, Alabama, where she lived in the area the remainder of her life.

Reta began her career at Southeast Alabama Medical Center in 1970. Her career in the medical field continued as she worked for Dr. James Holland, Dr. Mark Sonnier, and Dr. Glenn Gabrielson until her retirement from Lakeview Hospital in Eufaula in Medical Records where she was a member of the Coders Association of America.

Reta was a loving mother, grandmother and friend to all who knew her. She was described as always sweet and kind to every one and always dressed like a doll.

She enjoyed spending time with family and friends. Her hobbies included calligraphy, decorating specialty cakes, creating custom Halloween costumes each year for her son, crafting wreaths to share with friends and to sell at local events and boating. Fondest memories of Reta included her raising baby goats in the bathtub and enjoying anything banana--banana bread, banana pudding, and banana muffins.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her brother, Carl Dean Kretzler; and inlaws, Raymond "Hooks" Martin and Vermell Hall Martin. She is survived by her husband of 56 years, Jerry Randolph Martin; her son, Beau Christian Martin (Leigh); her precious grandchildren, Baileigh Caroline Martin and Peyton Christian Martin (and their mother, Amy Sellers Shepard); sister, Ruth Ann Billhimer (Tommy); a brother-in-law, Larry C.Martin (Laura Brackett Weber), and several nieces and nephews.

Flowers are accepted, (House of Flowers) was her favorite.

A memorial service will be held at Fowler "Family First" Funeral Home in Dothan on Saturday, August 17, 2024, at 2pm. The family will welcome friends and family an hour before the service. Interment will be held at the Selma Baptist Church Cemetery on South Park in Dothan following the service.

The service will be conducted by the Reverend Ralph Baker. Pallbearers will be Ben Armstrong, Todd Blackman, Mark Kelly, Daniel Kennon, Angus Scott, and Allen Van Slyke. Honorary pallbearers will be Herb Van Slyke, David Pridgen, Bryce Walters, Wayne Gulledge, Johnny Gilmer and Logan Franklin. Love to all.