Jackie Mae Martin

Jackie Mae Martin was born to become a hands-on caring service provider to the community. She focused on her education thru the years along with participating in many school activities. Her primary focus was in the area of Homemaking which includes running the household and finances. She conducted many seminars to educate others with this useful information. After graduating as Valedictorian from Des Moines High School in New Mexico, Jackie entered Colorado Women's College graduating with an Associate in Arts May 1958. She continued with her education by attending The University of Wyoming earning her Bachelor of Science - Division of Home Economics May 1960. While attending The University of Wyoming in February 1959, Jackie was invited by Beta Kappa Chapter to become a member of Alpha Chi Omega Chapter House. From Wyoming she continued to an even higher level of education at Kansas State University majoring in Family Economics, earning her Master of Science in July 1970. While Jackie was at Kansas State University she completed her thesis in 1970, titled "Truth in Savings". In November 1970, the Editor of Kiplinger Magazine wrote Jackie commending her on her thesis, which he stated was one of very few studies in the consumer-economics field. He asked to publish an article pertaining to her thesis. After reading the article Indiana's Senator also contacted Jackie to request a copy of her research as he was also impressed and wanted to study for possible introduction into legislation. In 1970 Jackie moved to Las Cruces to practice her expanded knowledge of Homemaking and Finances as a Family Finance Specialist thru The Cooperative Extension Service at New Mexico State University. As most know, Jackie was a private person and was never outspoken or boastful of her many accomplishments. One of the many services she created and provided was an outreach program with the goal to educate students about Home Economics. In addition, she published a financial newsletter "Money Matters", and helped people thru the "Consumer Credit Counseling Service". These were only a few of her many activities. Whether it was behind the scenes or in public she had a genuine desire to reach out and help others, without attracting undue attention. Jackie found her true love when she met R. Wilson Martin, whom many friends and family would proclaim to be "the best thing that ever happened to Wilson". They were married on March 30, 1978. Throughout the years they traveled extensively with friends on cruises, including a trip to Switzerland in 1987 and to France in 2004. Jackie Mae Martin was born to Walter Jack Pinson and Marian Edmondson Pinson on December 9, 1937, in Raton, New Mexico. She grew up in Des Moines, New Mexico. On November 4, 2015, at the age of 77 years, Jackie passed away peacefully at her home, with her loving caregivers at her bedside. Jackie was preceded in death by her mother and father, her Aunt Virginia and her beloved husband R. Wilson Martin. She will be missed by her daughter Kay Lynn Killham, her son Jack Wilson Martin, her grandchildren, Jennifer, Amanda and Meghan, and two great grandchildren, Landon and Presley, all residing in the State of California; her nephew Jim T. Martin and wife Kristi, their children Karina and Zachery, of Las Cruces; her cousins Betty A. Christopher, Sharon McGill Miles, Edward Lewis; her loving caregivers, Maria, Francisco, Carlos and Karina Esparza, and Jessica Esparza Gonzales; her longtime friends Beverly Robinson and Jay de la Torre. A memorial service will be held on Friday January 8, 2016, 11 A.M. at Getz Funeral Home (corner of Bowman and Solano). Following the memorial a brief graveside service will be held at Hillcrest Memorial Gardens; then to Picacho Hills Country Club for a Celebration of Life. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that a donation be made to the Dona Ana County Humane Society, Inc., or to Mesilla Valley Hospice, or to Ambercare Hospice. PDF Printable Version