Teresa M. Martin

Teresa “Teri” Marie Martin, daughter of Paul and Joan Miller, grew up in Ohio with her sisters, Susan Boes, Barb Stull and Mary Jo Miller; and her brothers, Dave and Dan Miller. 

Nine years ago, she married John Martin and they started working hard for what they wanted. They planned to retire at 50. Two years ago they moved into Teri’s dream house. It’s got a wrap-around porch and sits on four acres near Curtis Park with big oak trees in the yard. She kept a garden where she grew tomatoes for one of her favorites – tomato sandwiches.

They were partners in everything, including the family business, T.J. Martin Trucking. “I work the trucks and she maintained everything else,” John Martin said. Teri got up at 3:30 a.m. on weekdays and was out the door by 6:15 a.m. She loved her job. At 6 p.m., she’d get home and greet her yellow Labradors, Bruno and Harley. Then it was back to work, this time on the family-company books. On weekends, she woke up at 5 a.m. and did more book work. 

Several nights a week, Teri participated in activities at Choice Baptist Church where she taught preschool Sunday school and organized church dinners. The Rev. Tim Wilcox said the church family is deeply saddened. Members could always count on Teri’s warm presence, with “a smile on her face and a gleam in her eye,” Wilcox said. “She was loved so much.” A couple of months ago Teri’s class set up a lemonade stand after church as a lesson on serving others. Teri’s sign for the stand read “5 cents or a hug.” 

Despite her busy schedule, Teri still found time to do things for John – bring him coffee in bed, replace worn clothes with ones he would like, put up a hammock in the back yard. “She always tried to stay one or two steps ahead of the game,” John said. 

The hammock was the subject of their last conversation. John had made only one mention of wanting one – and it was done. She wanted white sand spread under it to create a beach effect and a place for the dogs to play. John was supposed to do that Tuesday. Be sure to get some paint for the porch, Teri told him. And then she told him she had to go. It was, after all, a work day. “I will talk to you later.” 

But for now, John Martin and his family mourn their loss. They take comfort in her strong religious faith. “She told her Mom that God was in her life and that He was there to stay,” John Martin said.