Obituary - Jean Tinsley Martin

Martin, Jean T “Meme”, 96, found her peace on September 4, 2025, surrounded by her family. She was born in Richmond, VA, on August 30, 1929, to Russell “Jack” Tinsley and Hazel Tinsley. She attended Richmond’s John Marshall HS and then the Westhampton College at University of Richmond, class of 1950. She married her high school sweetheart, Roy Martin, in 1952, to whom she was married for over 70 years. Meme was a lifelong educator, entrepreneur, community leader, and the consummate host.

Meme taught at local elementary schools for decades, including Glen Lea and the Steward School. Years after, former students would stop and thank her, which always meant the world to her. She was a homemaker and mom. All four children graduated from Douglas Freeman HS, and she was proud that all graduated from college. The family home was her domain. For her entire married life, it was the main venue for countless family events. Whether it was Thanksgiving dinner for 40 or bridge parties for 12, she was an amazing hostess.

Her activities as a community leader never seemed to end. Meme was a leader in the Girl Scouts, a lifelong member of the PTA, a member of many Garden Clubs, a volunteer at the Virginia Historical Society, and a member of Tri-Club (president). She and Roy were early members of Welborne United Methodist Church, where she served in just about every leadership and teaching role during her 68 years there. The great adventure of her life was living abroad in Italy and Spain with Roy. Her unending passion for the Chesapeake Bay, Bavon, and ‘Martin’s View’ began in the ‘80s and never ended.

She adored her grandchildren. With the birth of her first grandchild, she became “Meme,” which lasted for the rest of her life. She never tired of teaching the kids, playing games, or cheering them on at every game or recital. A fierce competitor, it was widely known that her love for family never prevented her from giving every game her all, a legacy passed down through generations. It started with her.

Ultimately, Meme was a giver to all. One relative commented that “I can never repay her for the thousand kindnesses she bestowed upon me and my family.” That is precisely who Meme was. And we loved her for that. We still do. We will miss her forever.

She is preceded in death by her husband, Roy “Big Daddy” Martin, and is survived by her children, Roy Martin Jr. (Joy), Catherine Carter (Curt), Suzanne Feigley (Mike, deceased), and Russ Martin (Sara); four grandchildren, Kendall Carter (Chris), Harrison Carter, Maddy Martin and Zoey Martin; two step-grandchildren, Erica Williams-Ecker (Jeff) and Adam Williams (Kayla); nieces and nephew, Marcia Swenck (Fred), Richie Andrews (Karen), Margaret Mangas (Doug); many grandnieces, grandnephews and many great-grandnieces and great-grandnephews.

Visitation will be at Woody Funeral Home (Parham Chapel) on Thursday, September 11, from 4 – 7pm, with the funeral at Welborne United Methodist Church on Maybeury Drive on Friday, September 12, at 10:30am, followed by a reception. The burial will be at Forest Lawn Cemetery at 1pm.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Welborne United Methodist Church.