Barbara Martin

Barbara Perry Martin died on Tuesday, September 3, 2024 in Jonesboro, Arkansas after a long illness.

Barbara, also affectionately known as “Boo” by her grandchildren and great grandchildren, was born in Atlanta, Georgia to her parents, James and Eloise Perry. Barbara attended The University of Georgia where she met and married the love of her life, David P. Martin. Together, Barbara and David raised a beautiful family and built a successful business inspired by their world travel and keen sense of style.

Barbara and David owned and operated David Martin, Inc., a home furnishing company with one-of-a-kind, curated pieces sought after by people across the state of Arkansas. To know Barbara is to know her impeccable taste which extended well beyond home finishes into fashion, food and her loving southern lifestyle.

Barbara, a long-standing pillar of the community, served in various roles, including as a member of the Junior Auxiliary, a board member of the Arkansas Community Foundation, and a volunteer at the Jonesboro Church Health Center. Barbara was honored at the Red Dress Heart Gala. When they weren’t rooting for the Georgia Bulldogs, Barbara and David were on the sideline of ASU Women’s Basketball games cheering on the mighty Lady Red Wolves. In the neighborhood, she was known for her boundless talent as a consummate hostess of countless Melton Drive Christmas Parties and was quick to get to the kitchen to make her famous potato soup on snow days.

Barbara is preceded in death by her parents, her husband, her grandson James David Martin, and her great-granddaughter Madeleine Michelle Martin.

Those left to celebrate Boo’s long, fabulous life are her sons, David Martin (Mary Nell) and Jim Martin, and her daughter, Leigh Martin (Margo). She leaves her grandchildren, Hannah Grace Martin, Heather Ann Thrash, Grant Perry Martin (Brittany), and Barbara Greer Martin and her great grandchildren Charley Martin and Pierce Martin, who happens to share his birthday with Barbara. The family is also extremely grateful to Barbara’s faithful companion, Sonia Moreno.

A family graveside service will be held in October where Barbara and David’s ashes will be buried at Memorial Park in Memphis.

In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate donations to The Church Health Center in Memphis, Memphis Humane Society or to the charity of one’s choice.

We are comforted by knowing that Barbara and David are together again rooting for The DAWGS.