Nina Maxine Martin

Nina Maxine Martin of Van Buren, Arkansas, died Monday, March 2, 2026 in Fort Smith. She was born March 7, 1943 in Fort Smith, Arkansas down by the old pump station to Rev. James and Elsie (Forrest) Martin. 

Nina grew up "on the other side of the tracks" near what is now Miss Laura's in the historic district of Fort Smith. She finished six grades at Belle Grove Elementary and then Darby Junior High. Nina quit school after completing 8th grade and worked at the Boston Store Tea Room. Wising up, she went back to Darby and was denied entrance unless she repeated the eighth grade, which she had aced. With no other local options available, Nina went to Oklahoma, passed the entrance exams, started college at age 17, beginning a long adventurous scholastic journey, ending with a Ph.D. at age 31. Nina worked as a hat check girl, then waitress and hostess and bartender at the Glass Hat Supper Club for the Mummy Empire. Gaining legal age, Nina sang back up for several local and widely known groups, appearing on TV and the Grand Ole Opry. Even though Nina remained single, all family, shirt-tail cousins, extended family, musicians and her medical family always found her during holidays and gatherings to enjoy her amazing kitchen skills. No one ever went hungry around Nina. After retiring her clinic in Oklahoma, Nina spent time with Doctors Without Borders serving on the Ship of Hope. She managed apartments and rental properties for years in Tulsa, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Missouri and Kansas, leaving a great work family in these states. Nina then took on a special assignment with HUD and she was employed by HUD at her passing. 

Nina was preceded in death by her first born, Nina Renee Holmes-Adams and her father Harvey R. Holmes; her parents, both brothers, Rev. William (Billy) Martin of Guymon, Oklahoma and Officer Arnold Gene Martin of Huntington, Arkansas; sisters-in-law, Joyce Lee Hunter Martin and Molly Nell Russell Martin of Vian; brother-in-law, Mack Brewer of Bunch, Oklahoma; niece Debra Lynn Brewer of Aroma and Bonita Martin of Guymon.

Nina is survived by her sister, Lynda June Brewer of Arkoma; daughter Jessie Ellyn Suggs of Bartlesville; grandchildren, Rachael and Alex Edwards of Arkoma and Sammie White Eagle Chavez of Bartlesville; nieces, Ruby and Judy Brewer of Arkoma, Melissa Martin and Annette Boggs; heart sisters, Karen Mahaffey and Liz Johnston of Tulsa; special "other brother" Mac Free and wife Betty of Lavaca; nephews, John David and Boone Brewer; best friend and caregiver nephew A. G. (Pudge) Thomason of Lavaca and sister-in-law Melba Ann Hobbs Martin of Harford.

Nina requested no service at this time due to COVID restrictions. Family will have a country camp out and poker run at a later date with all proceeds going to Alma Outreach c/o Rick Wilson and Rosemary Blassingame. Memorial contributions may be made to Alma Outreach.

Cremation is under the direction of Brotherton Brothers Cremation Services of Fort Smith, Arkansas.