Robert Charles Martin program

Pall Bearers / Staff and Family

Honorary Pall Bearers Thomas C. Brown Bravell “Bucky” Nesbitt Eric S Williams lll George Fay

Russell Jackson Steven Denholtz

Professional Services Provided By

Martin’s Home For Service, Inc. - “Quality With Dignity” Richelle B. Williams, Manager – NJ Lic. No. 4788 Jennifer Tapia, Director – NJ Lic. No. 4821 – Yo Hablo Español Kevin Small, Director – NJ Lic. No. 4880 Thomas C. Brown - NJ Lic. No. 2512 48 Elm Street, Montclair, New Jersey 07042 Phone: 973 746 2158 Fax: 973 746 1337 Email: martins@martinshfs.com Website: www.martinshfs.com

Program Provided By

MLDCommunications - “The Very Best in Desktop Publishing” - Reverend J-Anthony & Madelin Dargan 62 Maple Avenue, Montclair, NJ 07042 Phone: (973) 783-6198 Fax: (973) 509-6027 Email: mldcomm@aol.com

Life Reflection

Order of Service

Once in a lifetime a friend comes along who bridges the gaps in the otherwise mundane lives of those around him. Someone who is clever, wise, charismatic, funny, creative, loving, kind, caring, classy and more than feisty. Robert (Bobby) Charles Martin, was such a friend.

Musical Prelude..................................................................................................................................................Myke Bizzell Processional............................................................................................................... “Wanna Be Happy” - Kirk Franklin Hymn of Comfort...................................................................................................... “I Won’t Complain” - Myke Bizzell Scripture Readings........................................................................................................................................ Ellen Williams Old Testament.......................................................Psalm 27 New Testament...................................... 1 Corinthians 13 Prayer Of Comfort.........................................................................................................Reverend Javon Caldwell-Gross Selection...............................................................................................................................“How Do I Live Without You” Speakers................................................................................................................................................Robert DuVal Martin

John Mormon Selection........................................................................................................................................................ “Gone To Soon” Speakers.................................................................................................................................................................. John Wood

Sandra Eggleston Life Reflection............................................................................................................................................Dwayne Tennant Acknowledgements..................................................................................................................................Eric S Williams lll Speakers................................................................................................................................................................. Reegy Laloi

Tiffany R Martin

Richelle B. Williams

Eulogy........................................................................................................................ Reverend Dr. Deforest B. Soaries, Jr. Committal...................................................................................................................................................................................

Recessional....................................................................................................................... “The Gambler” - Kenny Rogers

Bobby began this experiment with life on Monday, July 13, 1942 in Glen Ridge, New Jersey. He was the only child born to Robert Baldwin and Lilian Lucinda Martin. Due to their work schedules, Bobby spent a lot of his his early years in Caldwell with his grandparents, Reed and Priscilla Martin. He graduated each level within the Montclair public school system and attended Virginia State College & Virginia Union University. His parents had established Martin’s Home for Service in 1952, so in keeping with the family business, he decided to fulfill their dream and went on to study at McAllister School of Embalming & Mortuary Science in New York in 1961. After serving his apprenticeship, and much to their dismay, Bobby, with his entrepreneurial spirit, left the funeral home, purchased and ran several laundromats in the East Orange & New York areas.

In 1962, he married Toni, to them were born 2 children, Tina Maria and Robert DuVal. Their union ended in divorce in 1964.

As the years passed, he went on to work for Revlon as a chemist, conducted seminars, he did platform work and marketing. He was a consultant to Dudley Hair Care Products and eventually opened his own salons; ‘Hair It Is’ in New Jersey, Washington, DC and Boston. The varied interests of this man extended to his attending NIT Internal Combustion Engine School during the early 70’s. That ultimately led to his designing and building one of his first motorcycles. He also spent time working in California for Rev. Ike. Bobby loved travelling & even went so far as to take a few private flying lessons with his uncle, James.

Throughout all these years he always had a dog, Dobermans ( Jessie James and Mae West), Rotteweiliers (Sam and Bartus) ultimately ending up with two wonderful Portuguese Water Dogs, Miss St. Clair & Miss Lilian.

When his Dads’ health began to decline Bobby returned to the funeral home to assist his mother in 1980.

Being quite opinionated, there were several changes which he initiated that to this day, have made Martin’s Home for Service a truly outstanding edifice, not only in the way families are served but also to the external grounds and interior of the property. He has maintained and required his staff to uphold the standards of excellence as reflected in their motto “Quality With Dignity”.

As a youth, Bobby joined the Union Baptist Church of Montclair. While he did not attend any services regularly, he was a spiritual person, prayed every day and was a believer.

He leaves to cherish his memory: his partner, Richelle “Ricki” Williams; his children, Tina Maria, Robert DuVal, and Tiffany Martin; his grandson, Denzel Martin; the staff of Martin’s Home for Service, Inc. and a host of other relatives and friends.