At the time of her death, Mrs. Martin and her husband, Sherd, 99, were believed to be the longest married couple in Letcher County. The Martins celebrated their 78th anniversary on October 18.

Mr. Martin will celebrate his 100th birthday on June 2, 2008.

The Martins met on a winter day in 1928 when 14-year-old Alma Hickman was walking home from school. She saw Sherd Martin standing near a coal tipple at Millstone. They started talking and soon started dating. Nine months later the Martins were married by G. Bennett Adams at the home of the bride's parents.

"Through bad or good, they were always there for each other. They have always gotten along," said Sharon Chandler, one of the Martins' daughters, in an interview with The Mountain Eagle in September of 2004.

Mrs. Martin was the daughter of the late Walter and Dicy Mullins Hickman.

Mrs. Martin is survived by her husband, Sherd Martin; five sons, Joseph Martin of Louisville, Lester Martin of Loraine, Ohio, Sherdie Martin of Scottsville, Darrell Martin of Louisville and Dennis Martin of Clarkson; six daughters, Leatrice Reedy of Irvine, Greta Bennett of Corydon, Ind., Ruth McCray of Millstone, Karen Peavler of Harrodsburg, Donna Nadine West of Louisa, and Sharon Chandler of Cowan; 29 grandchildren, 40 great-grandchildren and a great-great grandchild.

Preceding her in death were a son, Archie Martin; two sisters, Viva Crase and Dorothy Fields; and a brother, Dennis Hickman.

Burial was at the Thornton Cemetery, Thornton, Letcher Co KY.