Obituary of Vena Lou McEachern Martin

Vena Lou McEachern Martin, 81, entered heaven on November 26, 2024.  Vena, a Pastor’s wife, Mother, Grandmother and Great-Grandmother was dearly loved by all.  She dedicated most of her life to serving others whether in her profession as a school administrator, at church or with her beloved family.  Christmas was her favorite time of year, because she found great joy in giving and spent all year preparing. Vena was also a crafter spending many hours creating scrapbooks and quilts that she gave to her loved ones.  Last Christmas she gifted every family member a handmade quilt she had spent two years making, filled with love in every stitch. 

Vena was the devoted daughter of Weldon and Lucille McEachern growing up in a loving home in Plainview, Texas. She graduated from Wayland Baptist University with a BA in Home Economics.  It was there she met Dwight Martin, a preacher and talented music leader, whom she married on June 27,1963.  Together they served in various church communities including Stephenville, Texas; Garden City, Kansas; Hico, Texas and Carrollton, Texas.  During her 26-year career with the Carrollton-Farmer’s Branch School District, Vena served several schools and in the Administration Office.

After retiring, Vena and Dwight moved to Houston to be near their children and grandchildren cherishing those years together. Dwight passed away in 2020 after 57 years of marriage.  In the Fall of 2022 Vena faced a Leukemia diagnosis with unwavering faith in the Lord to take care of her.  God’s word and especially Psalm 4:8 was near to her heart until the Lord called her home. Vena’s strong faith was the hallmark of her life and her family was blessed to learn from her close relationship with the Lord.

Vena is preceded in death by her parents, Charles Weldon and Alma Lucille McEachern, a grandson Samuel Roach and brother-in-law Louis Heflin. She is survived by her son, Christopher W. Martin; daughter, Geniffer L. Roach and her husband, Mark; grandchildren, Cameron Roach and his wife, Katie, Joshua Martin, Collin Roach and his wife, Katy, Evan Roach, Caroline Roach, Elizabeth Martin, and Erin Roach; Great-Grandchildren Hudson Roach, Charley Roach and Millie Roach, sister Patty Heflin, several nieces and nephews and dearest friend Kathy McWhorter.

The family would like to extend special thanks to Dr. Tapan Kadia, Alexis Geppner and the staff at MD Anderson, for the compassionate care provided to Vena these past two years.

A Memorial Service for Vena will be held in the Chapel at Houston’s First Baptist Church on December 18, 2024 at 11:00 a.m.  The private inurnment at the Houston National Cemetery will take place on Thursday, December 19th.  In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Houston’s First Baptist Church, Piecemaker’s Ministry in Vena’s honor.