Reta Lynn Kretzler Martin

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.  

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 is preceded in death by her parents and her brother, Carl Dean Kretzler, inlaws Raymond "Hooks" Martin and Vermell Hall Martin.  She is survived by her husband of 56 years, Jerry Randolph Martin.  Also, 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) and 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.  Family will welcome friends and family an hour before the service.  Internment will be in the Selma Baptist Church Cemetery on South Park in Dothan following the service.

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