Mary Evelyn Poynter Martin, 99
Mary Evelyn Poynter Martin passed away peacefully on January 29, 2021. She was 99 years old, a milestone she reached only eight days earlier. While weakened with age in her last months, she was alert and recognizing her family until nearly the very end. We will all miss her bright, loving and ornery self.
She was born Mary Evelyn Poynter in Fortescue, Missouri, a small town on the Missouri River. Her father, Sam Poynter, started working as a banker but spent most of his life farming. From her mother Sybille Baymiller, Mary learned that she was descended from veterans of the Revolutionary War, and she held positions as secretary in local chapters of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR). She also learned to play the piano. Although two of her three children have taken up the instrument, neither can play as well as Mary could.
After an active life as a farm girl and schoolteacher, Mary attended Tarkio College, a small school not far from home in northwest Missouri. There she met the love of her life, Lloyd Martin, at the beginning of World War II. The two were married for nearly 72 years before Lloyd passed in 2012.
As the children were growing up, Mary, along with her DAR work, was an active member of the community. She occasionally taught school as a substitute, was a parent leader in the Camp Fire Girls (even hosting reunions), and was president and volunteer with the local American Field Service, hosting two students. Most of this activity happened in Wayland, Massachusetts, where the family lived happily for many years. In her later years, she and Lloyd enjoyed bird watching, tennis, golf, and beach combing. She had quite a collection of beach glass she gathered on beaches along the Jersey Shore, where she and Lloyd lived for several years.
Aside from being an accomplished seamstress, knitter, artist, cook and baker, Mary loved people and made friends everywhere she went. She was an open, outgoing person who always saw the best in everyone.
Mary is survived by her three children, Samuel A. Martin (Jean) of Holland, Michigan; William L. Martin (Hannah) of San Francisco; and Jennifer Pearson (John) of Indianapolis, along with seven grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren, and twelve nieces and nephews. Her brother Eugene Poynter of Mound City, Missouri, also survived her, and we all cherish his great humor and memories of their family. Mary loved her family and they all loved her right back.
In lieu of flowers, the family recommends memorials be given to Resthaven Care Center or Hope Church, both of Holland, Michigan. These institutions were greatly supportive of Mary in her last years, and we can’t thank them enough.
Mary’s family is planning a private graveside service in Pilgrim Home Cemetery followed by a memorial service at Hope Church at a later date. The family is being served by Langeland-Sterenberg Funeral Home. To leave a condolence and for more information, please visit www.langelandsterenberg.com.
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