Carol Lynn Martin went to be with her Lord and Savior on Thursday, April 27, 2023. Although our grief is profound, we find comfort in knowing that she is now in the loving embrace of our Heavenly Father, reunited with loved ones who have gone before her. As a devoted Christian, Carol lived her life with a spirit of kindness and grace, leaving a lasting impact on all those who were fortunate enough to know her.
She was born in Dallas, Texas on February 14, 1948, to Johnnie and Nila Wilhelm. Carol was the oldest sister to her siblings, Betty, Jay, and Lisa.
As a young girl, she grew up in Garland. Carol was in Bluebirds and Camp Fire Girls and achieved the highest ranking to be in the Horizon Club. She loved to sing and was a member of the Garland High and South Garland High Choir. Carol played the oboe. She was also in the first graduating class of South Garland High School. Even as a young girl, Carol was very patriotic and loved her country and participated in the Youth Freedom Speakers and Young Republicans. She loved to dance and was on TV with Group and Chapman, led by Ron Chapman of KRLD radio, and an afternoon teenage dance show. Mom described herself as a “writer, poet, speaker, and dreamer.” Carol played piano at the local Eastern Hills Country Club. She was a pianist and soloist at the New Covenant United Methodist Church. Carol studied music, piano, and vocal at Eastfield College and East Texas State University.
Mom had an incredible faith in Jesus Christ, and she attended Second Baptist Church in Garland. Carol’s kindness and compassion knew no bounds. She was beautiful inside and out. Carol connected with people through their stories and celebrated them. She was her children’s and grandchildren’s advocate and council through the tough times. Carol was their greatest fan and celebrated the victories. She loved Jesus and shared him with everyone. Carol loved animals, especially dogs. She never met a dog she didn’t love and they knew it.
Carol was a gift giver and she loved making people happy. She had so many friends from all walks of life. Carol loved her grandparents, Callie and Morris Lynn and towards the end of Callie’s life, mom tended to her needs.
She wrote volumes of poetry, screenplays and a children’s book. Her words literally reach out and touch your soul and transport you to another place.
Carol could make Christmas more magical than anyone could. She always made sure her children, Charles and David, had something special under the tree. Carol cherished the birthday of Jesus. She made birthdays special, taking the time to put together meaningful events to celebrate her loved ones.
Later in life, Carol met and married her best friend, Albert Martin. And her son Charles’ wife, Bethany, became the daughter she had always dreamed of having. Her son, David was a joy and comfort to her, along with his wife, Megan and sweet daughter, Abigail. She and her mother, Nila enjoyed traveling together and attending musical productions together, and especially performances by her favorite musicians, The Texas Tenors. Carol was proud to be part of a group of fans and designated as an official Tenorette.
She studied prisons and hospitals through the Baptist General Convention of Texas. Carol was a former volunteer teacher and chaplain at the Dawson State Jail where she and Albert ran a successful “I Am Second” prison ministry. They helped hundreds of incarcerated men and women find a way out of hurt and pain, and many of them became believers in Jesus Christ. She and Albert also organized the Angel Truck ministry in Garland where they delivered hundreds of meals to families in need on Christmas Eve.
Carol was deeply compassionate, and she loved every one of her family members even those that she could not see on a regular basis. Her health made it difficult to see family and friends in person, but she still prayed for them and kept in touch with them over the phone and through social media. Carol lived in the town of Anna in her home with her sweet puppy dog, Coco, who is her great companion and friend. Her passing is difficult, but we know that she is no longer in pain and that she has a new body in Christ and she dances and sings with joy in heaven, with all the angels as they celebrate her return.
Carol was preceded in death by her wonderful parents, Johnnie and Nila Wilhelm; sister and friend, Betty Horton; and devoted husband, Albert Martin. Also, her sweet dog, Misti Blue, who she would want to be mentioned.
She leaves behind her loving family, sons and daughters, Charles and Bethany Russell, David and Megan Russell; grandchildren, Ashley, Charles Ryan, Arianna, Caden, Abigail, Christian, and Clayton; stepchildren, Tracery and James Boughton, and Roddy Martin; brother, Jay and sister-in-law, Susan Wilhelm; sister, Lisa and brother-in-law, Waights Henry; dear nieces and nephews, Kelli and Shana, Jennifer and Johnny, Zachary and Kelsey; and last but not least, her doggie, Coco.
We will miss her greatly but take comfort in knowing she is in the arms of the Lord.
A funeral service will be held at 2:00 p.m., Monday, May 1, 2023 at Turrentine-Jackson-Morrow Funeral Home, 2525 Central Expressway North, Allen, Texas 75013. The service will also be live streamed at TJMfuneral.com on Carol’s obituary page by clicking on the following link: https://celebrationoflife.tv/blog/carol-lynn-martin. After the service, the recorded live stream will be available for viewing at the same link location.
The family will receive family and friends during a visitation on Sunday afternoon from 4:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. at the funeral home.
Carol will be laid to rest at Dallas-Fort Worth National Cemetery in Dallas, Texas with her husband, Albert.