Julienne Elizabeth Martin of Franklin, Tennessee

October 27, 1938 - February 17, 2020

Julienne (Julie) Elizabeth Troutman Martin went home to be with her Lord and Savior on February 17th, 2020. The day was, much like Julie, bright and beautiful. Mrs. Martin was born on October 27, 1938 in Shreveport, Louisiana to Kathleen Elizabeth McClurg Jacquet and Earle Wilson Jacquet. Julie attended high school in both Shreveport and Kaiserslautern, Germany where her stepfather was stationed in the US Air Force. She held both a Bachelor of Arts degree and a Masters Degree in Classical Greek from the University of Georgia where her major professor, Dr. James Alexander, spoke of her as “the best graduate student I ever had.”

Julienne was married for over 61 years to the love of her life, Roger A. Martin. They met in Germany after being “set up” by Julie’s mother. Roger was also stationed there as a member of the United States Air Force. They were married at First Presbyterian Church, Shreveport, Louisiana on June 28, 1958. Julie grew up in that church and in many ways that congregation remained a spiritual beacon to her throughout her life. Julie became a member of Westminster Presbyterian Church, Rome, Georgia in 1977 when her husband became the pastor there. She wore many hats while at Westminster – minister’s wife, college Sunday school and women’s bible study teacher, Moderator of the Presbyterian Women for two years, and ordained Elder in the Presbyterian church (USA). Julie had a strong, clear beautiful alto singing voice and loved using it to praise God in the choirs of the various churches where she and Roger served throughout the years of their ministry.

Next to her family and the Lord, Julie’s greatest love was gardening. She was the very first Master Gardener in Floyd County and went on to become the President of the Georgia Master Gardener Association in its third year. She also served a two-year term as President of the Marshall Forest Stewardship Board in addition to serving on the Education Committee for the Atlanta Flower Show during the 1990’s. She was an early advocate for using native plants in landscaping and taught landscape design and horticulture courses in Berry College’s continuing education program. She had a special interest in the wildflowers of Northwest Georgia. Julie was a Life Member of the National Garden Club, Inc., a Life Member of the Rome Federated Garden Clubs, Inc., a lifetime Georgia Master Gardener, and a Landscape Design Master Consultant.

Julie served others her entire life with grace, class, and a delightful sense of humor. She read scripture and devotionals with her husband every single day. She was a first-class mother and wife. She enjoyed the study of ancient Greek and Roman history, teaching the bible, gardening, writing poetry, and singing folk songs and hymns. Her love of music (including rock and roll!) inspired both of her children who each went on to perform in bands as adults.

Julie was preceded in death by her son, James (Mac) McClurg Martin of Rome, GA.

Julie is survived by her husband, Roger, her daughter and son-in-law, Kathryn and David Ray of Franklin, TN (and grandsons Gabriel and Conor), her brother, David Troutman (and wife, Cheryl) of Murfreesboro, TN, sister-in-law Nona Lollis (and husband, Thomas) of Clinton, SC, sister-in-law Jean Martin of Belton, SC, aunt Rosemary Moore of Shreveport, LA, granddaughter Tori Martin of Georgia, and various nieces and nephews.

A memorial service for Julie will be held at 1 PM on Friday, February 21st, at Westminster Presbyterian Church, 1941 Shorter Avenue, Rome, GA, 30165. Visitation with family and a reception will follow the service.

While Julie adored flowers, she preferred to enjoy them in their natural state. Therefore, in lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations/memorial gifts be made in the name of Julienne Martin to either The Nature Conservancy in Georgia (who manages the Marshall Forest Preserve) - online donation forms are available - or to Westminster Presbyterian Church, 1941 Shorter Avenue, Rome, GA, 30165.