of Marshall, AR

December 17, 1934 - October 15, 2022

Joyce Dell Sparks Martin, age 87 of Marshall, Arkansas passed from this life on Saturday, October 15th, 2022 at Baxter Regional in Mountain Home, Arkansas. She was born in Harrison, Arkansas on December 17th, 1934 to Floyd Lemuel Sparks and Noma Lea Hensley Sparks. She married Thomas Wayne Martin Jr. on May 24th, 1956. They shared 60 years of marriage before Tommy's passing in 2016.

Alongside her husband, Dell was co-owner and operator of Coffman Funeral Home in Marshall for over 50 years. She served the Searcy County community in many capacities. She was a licensed funeral director and later obtained her insurance license which required many hours of study and passing of a state exam. She tackled this task head on and passed on the very first try. During her funeral service career, Dell gave people purpose and was committed to the service she provided. She was a wonderful cook. Besides cooking for her family she often prepared food for many community events. She excelled at Holidays and spent many hours in the kitchen making coffee cakes for friends and family. Dell was a devoted wife, mother and grandmother. She loved the years she and Tommy spent working side by side. She loved going on trips with Tommy and especially enjoyed playing the nickel poker machines during their casino visits. Her strong presence will be greatly missed by her family and friends.

Survivors include her five children, Donna Hopkins (Jackie) of Mountain Home, Wayne Martin (Susan) of Marshall, Thecia Smith (Kelley) of Marshall, Jeff Martin of Marshall and Sarah Jo Kendrick (Mike) of Marshall; nine grandchildren, Kelly Hopkins, Lindsey Partee, Tommy Martin, Mallory Martin, Farrell Smith, Summer Barker, Alexandra Coffman, Graci Harris and Dylan Kendrick; eleven great-grandchildren; and one sister, Nell Riggins of Bellefonte.

Dell is preceded in death by her parents, Floyd and Noma Sparks; her husband, Thomas Wayne Martin Jr.; siblings, Norene Cox, Mildred Hickman, Jack Sparks, Mary Terry, Josephine Gass, Anna Henn, Floydean Douglas and Sandra Hicks.

Funeral services for Dell will be 2:00 PM Wednesday, October 19th, 2022 at Roller-Coffman Chapel in Marshall, Arkansas with Sis. Kim Horton officiating. Visitation will be 6:00 till 8:00 PM Tuesday, October 18th, 2022 in the Chapel. Burial will be in East Lawn Cemetery in Marshall, Arkansas where Dell will be laid to rest beside her husband, Tommy. Bearers will be Charles House, Richard Riggins, Brad Gard, Ken Harris, Bill Douglas and John Sparks.

Obituary Provided By:
Roller-Coffman Funeral Home
923 Highway 65 North
Marshall, AR  72650
www.rollerfuneralhomes.com