OBITUARY

Shirley Ann (Cook) Martin, 84, 1911 Fairmont Pkwy., Erie, PA., died peacefully at home on
Wednesday, August 10, 2022. She was born in Laurel, MS, on March 30, 1938, to the late Allen Richard
and Bessie (McDonald) Cook, Sr. Shirley and her siblings were raised by their maternal grandmother,
Caroline Gore-Williams, following the death of their mother.

In addition to her parents, Shirley is preceded in death by her husband Samuel Aaron Martin Jr.; siblings
Mae Dorothy Cook, Betty Carolyn Cook, and Mary Lee Mathis; brother Allen Richard Cook Jr.; and a
great-granddaughter, Kai Ann McCullum.

Shirley was a resident of Erie since 1956. Early on, she worked for One-hour Martinizing Cleaners and
retired from St. Vincent Hospital after 30 years of service. Following her retirement in the early 90's, she
continued enjoying life surrounded by her husband of 51 years, children, grandchildren, and great-
grandchildren. She was a member of Shiloh Baptist Church and a former member of Second Baptist
Church. She was also a cancer survivor who later volunteered with the UPMC Hillman Cancer Center,
Erie, PA.

Amongst her many interests, Shirley was the ultimate sports enthusiast with a commanding knowledge of
the games. She was an exceptional gardener, a master seamstress, and the neighborhood hair stylist.
Shirley and her husband honored their parents' legacy of maintaining strong family bonds. That love was
especially evident by their care and concern for their siblings and for decades regularly hosting family and
friends with food and fellowship. Because of her strength, faith, and wisdom, her father affectionately
called her "Sapphire -" a name by which her loved-ones also honored her.

Shirley leaves to cherish her memory six children, son Frederick A. Martin, Sr. (Annie), Erie, PA;
daughters Florine Martin Williams, Alexandria, VA, Stephanie A. Calloway (John), Cleveland, OH,
Terry L. Martin, Meadville, PA, Jacqueline Pointer (Richard)
and Alicia L. Tate (Benjamin), Erie, PA; honorary sons James Bolden, Meadville, PA, and Preston E.
Wright, Alexandria, VA; and "adopted" daughter, Kimberly Davis, Erie, PA. Shirley is also survived by
her brother William Cook (Ronnie), Erie, PA; sister Marjorie Ducksworth, Warrensville Heights, OH;
sister-in-law Rhoda Martin, Erie, PA; many grand- and great-grandchildren; a host of nieces, nephews,
and cousins; and her beloved dog "Misty."