Naoma Ruth Martin of Xenia (Ohio) passed from this life into the next on April 3, 2004 at the Greene Oaks Health Center, after a long, courageous battle with Alzheimer’s.

Ruth was born on September 15, 1921 to Daniel and Ethel Toler of Goreville, Illinois, and was a loving sibling to four brothers and four sisters. She graduated form Goreville Township High School.   During WWII, Ruth served in the Navy as a Yeoman third class, performing secretarial duties while stationed at Jacksonville, Florida.  Afterward, she moved to Dayton and was a secretary at Wright Patterson Air Force Base, where she met her future husband, Ernest (Bud) Martin.  They celebrated their 50^th wedding anniversary before he died in 1997.  Together they raised three children, Barbara, Beth, and John.

            Ruth worked at the Ohio License Bureau, before serving as a secretary for Doctor Richard Miller for many years.  Volunteering was an important value, and she donated time to the United Volunteer Services and the FISH Pantry.  She was a faithful member of Westminster Presbyterian Church for 54 years, and served as a Deacon, Elder, Sunday school teacher, and as well as numerous other roles.  One of her greatest achievements was opening, with the help of Marguerite White, the original Head Start Program for this area, which is still located at Westminster Presbyterian Church.  Children were always a very important priority, and her legacy of love included her own children, those of her neighborhood and those she taught.  Her warm nature and empathy drew them to her.

            She had a love of gardening, and later in her life, Ruth began to draw, which gave her and those who received her art, much joy.

            She leaves behind her, three children:  Barbara Wolfangel (husband Kurt, and children Kiel and Kirsten), Elizabeth Martin, and John Martin (wife Deborah, and children Riane, Jenny, and Leslie).  There are also three great-grandchildren (Hannah, Rachael, and EJ).  A brother (Larry Toler and wife Violet), and sisters (Mary Miller and LeAnna Tate) also survive, as well as many nieces and nephews, and grandnieces and grandnephews.

            Naoma Ruth Martin’s life was one of giving……love, time, and energy.  She was a woman whose values were responsible for enriching the lives around her.  Her most fervent wish would be that we “treat others as we would have others treat us”, by actively sharing  kindness with those around us.  Those whose lives she touched, will miss her sense of humor, courage, and beautiful smile.

Services will be held at Westminster Presbyterian Church with the Reverends Kingsbury and Shapiro leading.  Donations, in lieu of flowers, may be given to Hospice of Wilmington, and Westminster Presbyterian Church of Xenia.