Rita Martin

Lake Arthur

Funeral services for Mrs. Rita Ann Perry Martin, 87, lifelong resident of Lake Arthur, will be held on Friday, July 14, 2023, at 1: 00 p.m. in the Miguez Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Jay Alexius officiating.  Interment will follow in Andrus Cove Cemetery under the direction of Miguez Funeral Home.

Visitation for Mrs. Martin will begin on Friday, July 14, 2023, at 9:00 a.m., with a rosary by friend, Tim Parker being recited at 12:30 p.m., and going directly into the service at 1:00 p.m.

Mrs. Martin was born on August 7, 1935, to Preston Perry and Matilda Rutledge Perry.   As an adult, she worked as a food processor in the Food Industry.  Mrs. Martin was very active and enjoyed many hobbies.  She loved life and enjoyed going places and seeing new things-recently going on a fishing vacation down the Calcasieu River and rode an air boat for the first time down the Atchafalaya.  She enjoyed quilting, sewing, and crocheting.  She watched Judge Judy daily and was deeply in love with Alcatraz.  Many hours were happily spent in her yard taking care of her flowers and her garden.  Mrs. Martin also enjoyed watching the birds, especially the cardinals, whom she believed was her beloved husband visiting her.  Family gatherings, usually held in the family barn, were wonderful times spent visiting and of course cooking and celebrating many occasions.  Her favorite foods were fried fish and cold watermelon.   Life with Rita was a celebration, and every gathering was a good time.

Those left to cherish all the wonderful memories are two daughters, Carleen (Allen) Ballenger and Tina Martin; five sisters, Faye (Bob) Geisen, “Schoochie” (Rodney) Semar, Jackie Perry, Sarah Klumpp, and Denita Perry; three grandchildren, Craig (Ashley) Martin, Candace Ballenger (Jeremy) Guy, Cody (Kim Buckley) Ballenger and four great grandchildren, Griffin Guy, Laney, Sydney Guy, and Judd Martin.

She is preceded in death by her beloved husband, J. E. Martin; her parents; her sister, Dean Miller and three brothers, Lee Allen Perry, Robert “Bobby” Perry and Charles Perry.

The family of Mrs. Rita would like to express a huge appreciation to The Therapy Center (Always Caring), Dr. Griffith and staff, Elora Home Health, and the many caregivers over the years; especially Christina Doucet. The love and care they have given will never be forgotten.