Biography: Ernestine Anne Matkin Martin died at her home on Sunday, January 31, 2021.  
           
Ernestine Anne Matkin was born in Gregory (Woodruff County), Arkansas at home on Sunday, July 27, 1920.  She was born to Ernest B. (E. B.) “Bo” Matkin and Cora Huenefeld Matkin.  She was predeceased by her husband Donald H. Martin, her daughter Margaret Starr (Scott), her grandson William Starr (Cydni), and  her brother and sister-in-law Ernest B. and Carl Anne Matkin.

Her brother Ernest B. Matkin, Jr. (E. B.) was born 6 years later.  In 1928, following the destruction of the Great Flood of 1927, her parents sold their general store, the People’s Store in Gregory, Arkansas.  They decided to go West and make a new home in California.  They traveled there by car and stayed for six weeks, but decided they would move back to Arkansas.  They returned to Little Rock, Arkansas on July 26, 1928 and Ernestine turned eight years old the next day.
 
Ernestine and her family joined Pulaski Heights United Methodist Church when they moved to Little Rock in 1928 and were active members of the church.  Her mother, Cora Matkin was a member of the Board of PHUMC when the decision was made to build a new church building.
 
Ernestine attended Little Rock schools and graduated from Little Rock High School, now Little Rock Central High School.  Ernestine excelled in school and was a co-editor of the High School newspaper.
Ernestine attended and graduated from Hendrix College in Conway, Arkansas.  She was editor of the Hendrix College Newspaper.  There she met her future husband Donald H. Martin.  Ernestine and Donald were married at PHUMC in the old church building on September 6, 1941.  Donald served in the U. S. Army Air Corps as a pilot during World War II, flying missions in the South Pacific after they married.
 
After a number of moves while Donald worked for Missouri Pacific Railroad, the couple returned to Little Rock and made their home in the Hillcrest area of Little Rock.  
They were active members of PHUMC, raising four children, William Clyde Martin II, (Bill) (spouse Sabra); Anne Martin Baldwin (spouse Rusty); Margaret Martin Starr (deceased, spouse Scott), and Alice Matkin Martin.
 
Ernestine worked for the United Methodist Church Board of Pensions for 12 years.
 
Ernestine was a faithful member of PHUMC in prayers, presence, gifts, service and witness since she returned in 1956.  She served on the church Board for many years.  She was a co-founder of the Malone-Martin Archives and History Room along with Betty Malone, first preserving the history of PHUMC in paper sacks, until they could get an actual room and filing cabinets.  She was an active member of the Energizers Choir, the Handbell Choir, Sunday School member and teacher, and Circle member.  She and Donald were UMY sponsors.  She was active in the Intercessory Prayer Group and Primetimers for many years.  A faithful member of P.E.O. and the Little Rock Aesthetic Club.
 
Survivors are William Clyde Martin II (Sabra), Anne Elizabeth Martin Baldwin (James “Rusty”), Margaret Starr (deceased) (Scott) and Alice Matkin Martin.  Grandchildren:  Angela Martin Crowly (Mike), Jennifer Martin (Tom Borthwick), Mary Catherine Martin, Cora Elizabeth Crary (Craig Giffen), Clare Starr, Robin Starr (John Olive O’Berski),  Willam Starr (deceased) (Cydni) and Mary Alice Martin.  Great- Grandchildren:  Julia Crowly, Anna and Margot Borthwick, Noah and Cy Starr, Penelope, Zola and Prosper Starr O’Berski, Zippora Lorelei and Rosalie-Zenna Starr and Vincent and Madelyn Kyzer.  Special niece Marion Purvis (Hoyt) and special cousins Lynette Black (Delano).  

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the PHUMC Foundation, 4823 Woodlawn, Little Rock, AR 72205.  Martin Archives Endowment, Hendrix College Library, Audubon Society of Central Arkansas or a charity of your choice.