Barbara J. Martin, age 84 and longtime resident of Long Beach, MS entered eternal rest peacefully the morning of Saturday, September 5, 2026. She resided at Summerfield Senior Living Evergreen. She will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved her.

Barbara was born in Portage, WI on June 6,1942, she grew up in Baraboo, WI and was active in their local Friday night teen social club and school dance program known as Barateen. Her love for being with 'good people' and having 'good times' was apparent throughout her life. After graduating from Baraboo High School, Barbara married her high school sweetheart Dave Martin December 18,1960 and had a marriage that lasted almost 63 years. She loved her family and maintained dear friendships throughout her lifetime. Barbara loved dogs, flowers, gardening, crafts and maintaining her home and a well-manicured lawn. Barbara enjoyed 'socializing and exercising' (as she would say) while bowling on leagues and in tournaments. She participated in CPO Wives, Bunco groups, her Sunday school class at Bel Aire Baptist Church and volunteered over 9,000 hours at Memorial Hospital at Gulfport where she tried to bring smiles to everyone she met.

Barbara is survived by her children: Mark (Donna) Martin of Plymouth, WI, Jeff S. Martin of Gulfport, MS, and Mary (Chad) Lizana of Gulfport, MS. She was known as 'Grams' and dearly loved her grandchildren: Jeremy (Jessica) Martin, Chelsea (Matt) Anti, and Jared S. Martin. Her great-grandchildren are Zachary, Lucia, Elijah and Owynn Martin and Lainey Rae Anti. She had witty ways and enjoyed tubing in the snow, teaching them blackjack and watching them dance, play hockey and baseball.

Other survivors include brother Steve (Nancy) Porter, sister-in-law Linda Porter, and sister-in-law Gerry Hinz (Mickie Davies). Barbara has many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends that will cherish memories of her.

Some family members who preceded Barbara in death are her husband Dave Martin, her parents Melvin 'Mel' and Mary Porter, an infant brother Wayne, sister Jeanette and her husband Roger Ware, brother Melvin 'Mike' Porter, and her parents-in-law Richard and Rosaline Martin.

The family of Barbara J. Martin would like to express their gratitude to her caregivers at Summerfield Senior Living Evergreen, Gentiva Hospice, Memorial Health Systems Gulfport, Encompass Health and Rehab and Riemann Family Funeral Home.

In accordance with her wishes there will not be a visitation or memorial service. There will be a private ceremony of entombment for the immediate family at Biloxi National Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, please make a contribution to the charity of your choice.

Ecclesiastes 3:1-8: 

"To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:

A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted;

A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up;

A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance;

A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;

A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away;

A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;

A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace."

Ecclesiastes 12:13-14

"Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.  For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil."