Erma Bassett Martin, of Dixon, was born on July 29, 1922, at Dixon, in Pulaski County, a daughter of Arthur and Beatrice Gertrude (Akley) Collier, and departed this life at 10:30 a.m., on Saturday, February 28, 2015, in the Maries Manor Care Center, Vienna. She had been in failing health and had attained the age of 92 years, 6 months, and 29 days.

Mrs. Martin was first united in marriage on September 19, 1940, in the Pisgah Baptist Church near Dixon to Joseph Avery Bassett, and to this union, four children were born. Mr. Bassett preceded his wife in death on May 17, 1986. She was later united in marriage on July 23, 1994, in the Pisgah Baptist Church near Dixon to Clarence Howard Martin. Mr. Martin preceded his wife in death on November 19, 2009. Mrs. Martin was also preceded in death by her father, Arthur, on January 9, 1957; her mother, Beatrice, on August 15, 1965; two brothers and one sister-in-law, Clay and Grace (Warnol) Collier and an infant brother; and two sisters and brothers-in-law, Pansy and Ray Martin, and Mabel and Alf Vitzthum.

Mrs. Martin had accepted Jesus Christ as her Personal Savior at an early age and had followed her Lord in baptism. She was a faithful member of the Pisgah Baptist Church near Dixon and a strong supporter of all the activities and ministries of the church. During her working life, Mrs. Martin had been employed by the Brown Shoe Company in Dixon for a number of years as well as being a devoted housewife and homemaker.

Those left to mourn the passing of Mrs. Martin include: Two sons and daughters-in-law, Charles J. and Barbara Bassett of Dixon, and Keith D. and Genie Bassett of Sunrise Beach ; two daughters and one son-in-law, Linda J. Conover of Dixon, and Laverne and Bruce Stansberry of Independence; six grandchildren, Leasa and David Day of Dixon; Carol and Raymond Helble of Lebanon; Jerry and Belinda Bassett Escondido, California; Billie Conover of Rolla; Christopher Stansberry of Lee's Summit; and Nicholas Stansberry of Independence; ten great-grandchildren; seven great-great-grandchildren; nephews; nieces; and a host of other relatives and friends.

Funeral services for Mrs. Martin were conducted at 11:00 a.m., on Wednesday, March 4, 2015, in the Pisgah Baptist Church, 14446 Columbia Road, Dixon, with Pastor Arthur Gormley, Jr. officiating.

Interment was in the Dixon Cemetery under the direction of the Birmingham-Martin Funeral Homes. Active pallbearers for Mrs. Martin were David Day, Bruce Stansberry, Christopher Stansberry, Nicholas Stansberry, Thom Kliewer, and Herb Nelson. Honorary pallbearers were Leasa Day, Carol Helble, Raymond Helble, Jerry Bassett, Belinda Bassett, and Billie Conover.


Memorial contributions are suggested by the family of Mrs. Martin to the Youth Fund or the Building Fund of the Pisgah Baptist Church with envelopes available at the church or in care of Birmingham-Martin Funeral Home, P.O. Box EE, Dixon, Missouri 65459.