Mrs. Verlenia Martin

Verlenia Mae Martin was the fourth child born to Joe Scales, Sr. and Lennie Scales in Darling, Mississippi, as both parents predeceased her. Affectionately known as Lena, she and her siblings were moved to Chicago, Illinois in the early 1950s, where she graduated from Hirsch Metro High School in 1963. Growing up with five siblings, Lena always had a humorous personality and what we termed as “always getting into trouble.” Lena liked working with her hands and fixing things. When the TV or other devices stopped working, Lena was called first, and for the most part, she could make it work again. Lena’s favorite hobby, or pastime, was sewing and watching knitting and craft shows, where she had to have two sewing machines. One sewing machine was for guests to use if they needed to, and the other was solely and strictly for Lena’s use. Lena mastered her sewing skills by creating clothes for herself and her children, which ranged from pajamas to bags and blankets. Lena also loved to listen to old-school music, as she had an extended record collection that could rival most record stores. Lena loved to dance to her melodies, as she played them on her grand combination record, tape, and 8-track player. Lena had two sons, Michael Jerome Scales and William Earl Scales, who predeceased her. Lena married John Martin Sr., who also predeceased her, and to that union, two sons were born – John Henry Martin, Jr. and Robert Lee Martin. Lena found great joy in raising her children. Because of her joyous and witty personality, all the nieces and nephews liked visiting and spending time with her. Even as adults, Lena’s house was usually their first stop when they came into town. Lena’s greatest passion, and what she valued most, was when she dedicated her life to Jehovah and became one of Jehovah’s Witnesses. She attended all assemblies and conventions and local meetings until she could no longer do so. When she was no longer able to attend meetings, she viewed them online. She had meeting tapes in her car that she listened to while driving and said the tapes kept her mentally and spiritually healthy. She still maintained her humorous personality, which manifested itself as she carried out her ministry and associated with her Christian brothers and sisters, and family members. Lena had three siblings to predecease her in death – Joe Scales, Jr., Gracie Davenport, and Goldie Scales. Lena leaves to mourn her passing, her two sisters – Eller Brower and Alice Scales, and three sons Michael, John, and Robert. Lena also leaves her grandchildren Michael Scales, Jr., William Bogdan Scales, Janyce Amari Martin, Ariah Skye Martin, McKenzie Mae Martin, Antonio Bowman, Tatiana Bowman, Anthony Jackson, and Cameron Johnson. Additionally, Lena leaves nieces Octavia Powell, Kelly Mitchell, and Zeela Wilkins, and nephews George Davenport (Beverley), Gerald Davenport, Cerone Brower, and Sean Sims, and many other extended family members and friends.

Tributes

Mrs. Verlenia Martin

June 5, 1945 - December 10, 2022