Joan "Joni" Martin

Joan “Joni” Martin, age 81 of Jackson, TN, formerly of Paris, died Friday, July 14, 2023, at Jackson-Madison County General Hospital.

She graduated from high school in Stuttgart, AR in 1959.  She attended Arkansas State Teacher’s College in Conway, AR and went on to attend and graduate from Draughon’s School of Business in Memphis, TN.  Joni was a member of First Methodist Church in Paris where she was a longtime member & treasurer of the Moving Methodist Women’s Circle.  She was an avid bridge player and attained Life Master Status in Duplicate Bridge.  She formerly worked at First Presbyterian Preschool in Paris for several years.

Joni was born October 1, 1941, in Houston, TX, to the late Harry S. Ragland, Jr., and the late Lucille Esther Heidrich Ragland.

She was married September 7, 1962, to Edward E. “Ed” Martin, who survives, of Jackson, TN.

Along with her husband, she is also survived by one daughter, Melanie Bell of Paris, TN; two sons, Todd (Christina) Martin of Franklin, TN, and Scott Martin of Medina, TN; three sisters, Judy (Jack) Jacobs of Stuttgart, AR, Janice Ragland of MA, and Joyce (Tom) Roth of Stuttgart, AR; five grandchildren, Hunter (Olivia Mayoza) Bell, Brandon (Zoe) Martin, Willow Martin, Hawk Hostetter, and Falcon Hostetter; and three great grandchildren, Ace Martin, Sunny Martin, and Haven Hostetter.  

Arrangements are being handled by Ridgeway Funeral Home, 201 Dunlap Street/PO Box 788, Paris, TN 38242.  Visitation will be Thursday, July 20, 2023, from 3:00 pm – 5:00 pm at Ridgeway Funeral Home.

Cremation will follow visitation.

Memorials may be made to any local animal shelter or to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.