Curtis Martin

Curtis Eugene Martin was born on December 26, 1947, to the late Edna Mae Bush and Curtis Martin in Rural Baldwin County, Alabama. Gene was baptized at early age at New Era Missionary Baptist Church in Fairhope, Alabama. Gene was educated at Anna T. Jeanes School of Fairhope, Alabama in addition attended Baldwin County Training School. He moved to Chicago, Illinois seeking better job and earnings. Gene first marriage to Martha Louise Martin he relocated his family from Fairhope, Alabama to Wheaton, Illinois. He maintained a loving, caring friendship until her death in April 2013. Gene was an extremely hard worker providing for his family. He retired early in 2004 from North American due to health reasons.

Gene was united in holy matrimony to Knikita Jones on July 11, 1997, after dating for 5 years. Gene had faced so many health challenges loss of right eyesight 2004 and 2010 went on dialysis. Gene was loving husband, caring, family-oriented man who tried to make sure that his family had everything he could give. Gene kidney started failing which cause him to go on hemodialysis. Knikita trained how to do the peritoneal dialysis because he dislikes the other. She hooked him to machine every night, that started failing so his wife Knikita Martin gave him life-saving gift. Knikita donated her kidney to him on June 10, 2015. Gene transplant was success he started enjoying life little more. If one defines a man by his love and consistent care for his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren then Curtis Eugene Martin was truly a man. Suga was his nickname to his family, he was considered the one who didn’t take no mess. Kenny Ward his brother would say who Suga think he is coming running things. Above all, Gene was giver and friend who helped so many people in his lifetime and was loved by many. 

He is preceded in death by his mother, Edna Mae Ward; his father, Curtis Martin and Arcle Ward, Sr., his brothers, Earl Bernard Ward, Walter Lee Bush, Frank James Ward, Arcle Ward, Jr., Johnnie Martin, and Johnnie Ward; sister, Johnnie Mae Ward, and grandson, LaShawn Williams. 

Gene slipped into the arms of the Lord on Tuesday, November 16, 2021, 3:54pm. Gene leaves to cherish his memories and love; his loving wife, Knikita; his children, Gene Martin (Tula), Jacqueline Williams, Tina Johnson-Wideman (Brandon), Stevon Sims, DeVante Martin (Mykala), and Kiarra Martin; eleven grandchildren, Curtis Martin (Porsha), Kristina Williams(Glenn), Letticca Williams(Taurus), Zachary Martin, Rayshawn Williams, Nathaniel Martin, Alexis Williams, Kobe Johnson-Wideman, DaNasia Johnson-Wideman and Layla Martin; great-grandpa to sixteen, Tamara Nhkoma, Alexia Williams, Glenn Martin, Amare Parks, Sincere Martin, Jailyn Martin, Laila Martin, RaiAnnah Williams, A’Kari Parks, Zachari Martin, Cayden Martin, Tianna Williams, Amaia Martin, Ariana Williams, Christian Martin, and Nala Parks; seven brothers, Robert Ward (Trina), Kenneth Ward all of Chicago, IL, Arthur Martin (Gloria)of Wheaton, IL, Carl Martin (Cynthia) of Fairhope, AL, Albert Martin of Jackson, AL, Robert Martin (Judy) of Plainfield, IL and Dale Martin (Trina)of Satsuma, AL; five sisters, Florence Shephard, Mary Jones of Mobile, AL, Mary Ann Rocker (Robert) of Jackson, AL, Camille Wilson (Melvin)of Daphne, AL, Letrania Hawkins (Donald) of Satsuma, AL; sister-in-law, Addie Ward of Augusta, GA; extra special mother-in law who he truly adored, Jeannette Sykes of Bellwood, IL; brother-in-law, Horacio Jones; uncles, LC Bush of Chicago, IL, Tom Smith, Norman Smith, Lee Smith (Elnora) all of Fairhope, AL; aunties, Pearlie May Hunt, Catherine Wilson, Annie Lee Stephenson, Alice Louise Smith, and Ara Smith all of Fairhope, AL; godson, Christian Chase Martin of Plainfield, Illinois; and host of nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends.

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