Mrs. Rachel I. Wright Martin

Rachel I. Wright Martin was the seventh of ten children born to the late Senior Bishop Isaiah and Mildred Wright on July 4, 1966 in Newark, OH. The Lord Jesus called her home Friday, November 10, 2017 after a courageous battle with Leukemia. Rachel lived a full rich life while growing up in Ohio, enjoying all the benefits of rural life with her siblings. She was raised in the church (Supreme Council of the House of Jacob) and regularly attended with her family. After moving to Harvey, IL in 1975, Rachel enjoyed shopping, music, and dancing as a teenager and young adult. She showed an interest in fashion and expressed her passion for it at every available chance. Upon graduating from Thornton High School in 1984, she held various jobs. Rachel moved to Grand Prairie, TX where she briefly attended Mountain View Community College. She left college to assist her mother in caring for her father. After his death, she pursued a career in optometry as a technician and office manager. Rachel met the love of her life, Nathaniel (Nat) Martin III on November 22, 1991. The two were engaged a year later and married July 3, 1993. She was very supportive of Nat’s career joining him on corporate relocations from Dallas to Atlanta (1993) to St Louis (1997) and to Orlando (2001). Rachel was Nat’s rock as he obtained his Executive MBA from Rollins College while working full-time. From their union came two children, Devin in 1999 and Jacquelin in 2000. Rachel became CEO of the household, devoted mother and wife cherishing time with her family and attending to their needs. Rachel loved the Lord and was active in churches in every community where she lived including Hopewell Missionary Baptist Church in Norcross, GA, First Missionary Baptist of Ballwin, MO, Carter Tabernacle in Orlando, FL and most recently the Church of Christ at Ninth Street in Winter Garden, FL. She volunteered in several Orlando community organizations such as The Greatest Investment Girls’ Empowerment Program and Women’s Residential and Counseling Center focusing on developing young girls and helping battered women in transition. Rachel loved spending time with her family and friends, traveling, shopping, and exercising. She possessed a calming, nurturing spirit that felt like a hug. Her beautiful sincere smile lit up any room or space she entered. People naturally gravitated to her magnetic swagger, infectious laugh, and unselfish love. She had an uncanny ability to make those around her feel welcome and valued. Rachel’s introspective demeanor, intelligent wit and abundant charm pulled you in and held you tight. The spotlight followed her wherever she went! Rachel is preceded in death by her parents Bishop Isaiah and Mildred Wright. She is survived by her devoted husband, Nat Martin; two loving children, Devin Oliver and Jacquelin Victoria; nine siblings, Selah Bynum, Israel Wright, Arabella Wright, Ollie Wright, Melba Wright-Hill (Raymond), Solomon Wright (Sharlette), Melita Webb (Ethan), David Wright (Shantel) and Salome Wright; her mother and father-in-law Nat Jr. and Linda Martin; brotherin-law, Mark Martin, and sister-in-law Bridget Daffron (Joshua); a special uncle James Everett; and a multitude of loving aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Tributes

Mrs. Rachel I. Wright Martin

July 4, 1966 - November 10, 2017