Nelson Martin

"Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.
In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you.
I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again,
and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also." John 14:1-3
"And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death,
neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are
passed away." Revelation 21:4

Birth
Elder (Deacon) Nelson Martin was a native of St. James, Louisiana. He was
the second of eight children born to the parentage of the late Willie Temple Sr.
and the late Agnes Martin Temple on June 4 , 1952. As one of the eight children, Nelson and his siblings learned early the importance of family and faith; they shared a special bond.

Faith
Nelson accepted Christ and was baptized at Mt. Calvary Baptist Church in 1978
under the leadership of the late Rev. John Harris. He faithfully served the church as a
Deacon and, in recognition of his commitment and spiritual maturity, was ordained as an Elder on October 12, 2024, at Mt. Calvary Baptist Church. The ordination was officiated by Rev. Ronald Harbin, Rev. Welman Jackson, and Rev. Hebert Harris. Nelson served God's people with humility, dedication, and unwavering faith. Education Nelson attended Magnolia High School and later earned his General Educational Development (GED) certificate on April 14, 1986, demonstrating perseverance and commitment to personal growth.

Marriage
He married his High School Sweetheart, Shelia Jones Martin, on May 11,
1974. And just as it is written, God's promise was fulfilled when they grew their
family to four with the birth of their son (Shannon). After a few years, they decided to grow their family a little more and give Shannon three sisters, Atha, Kendies, and Monique, and one son, Jonathan Dunn. Nelson quickly mastered the art of balancing his life between his wife, children, family, and work.

Hobbies
Nelson enjoyed fishing, reading the newspaper, cutting grass, watching television, and studying history. He was deeply committed to community service, dedicating countless hours to the maintenance and cleaning of cemeteries throughout St. James Parish and surrounding areas. He also had a passion for teaching Sunday School and Bible class, faithfully sharing the Word of God.

Vocation
His education served him well, as he enjoyed a prosperous career working at C.F.
Industries in Donaldsonville, Louisiana. He also served as a caretaker for Mt. Calvary
Cemetery and volunteered with the St. James Fire Department. In 1971, he began
employment with Marathon Refinery Company in Garyville, Louisiana, as a General
Foreman, and later retired in 2016.

Transitions
Nelson and Shelia lived as one, fulfilling the integrity of the covenant vows of Holy
Matrimony-"..until death d o us part." That vow was honored until he crossed over to the
other side on Tuesday, December 23, 2025, at 5:30 in the morning. Armed with only his
faith, Nelson, like Job, gave thanks and bid this earth farewell as he transitioned from
earth to eternity.

Endearment
Nelson's life and memories will be remembered lovingly by his devoted wife, Shelia Jones Martin; two sons, Shannon (Elander) Martin and Jonathan Dunn; three daughters, Atha, Kendies, and Monique; three sisters, Patricia Broden (Albert), Kathleen Green of St. James, Louisiana, and Brenda Simpson (James) of Baton Rouge, Louisiana; and three brothers, Willie June Temple (Judy) o f Texas, Floyd Temple (Tiffany) of Geismar, Louisiana, and Lionel Temple Sr. (Chenille) o f Wallace, Louisiana. He is also survived b y sisters in-law Carol Jones Jacobs, Cassandra Mitt, Annette Butler (Eric), Louise Jones, Johanna Jones, and Rosalind Simpson; brothers-in-law Albert Jones Jr., Gerald Jones Sr. (Star), and Gilbert Jones Sr. (Natalie) of Florida; four aunts Mable Edwards, Mary Charles, Martha Domino, and Margaret Williams; eight grandchildren Alajah, Mercedes, Rikya, Quinton, Kylon, Ma'lajah, Serenity, and Kasie; two great-grandchildren J'mouri and Jenesis; five godchildren Nekita Coleman, Jayden Dumas, Hubert Wiggins Jr., Heather Sowell, and Timanus Smith; one gospel child Oliver Cooper Jr.; and a host of nieces, nephews, relatives, and friends.

Nelson leaves us to join his heavenly family, which includes his parents, Willie Temple Sr. and Agnes Martin Temple; his sister Julia Cage; his father-in-law Albert Jones Sr.; his mother-in-law Rosemary T. Jones; brothers-in-law Michael Jacobs, Lionel Cage, Robert Mitt, and David Simpson; and his uncle Eddie Martin JR.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, January 3, 2026 at Mt. Calvary Baptist Church, 8969 LA-18, St. James, LA 70086. Visitation from 9:00am to 11:00am; followed by the service for 11:00am. Interment Mt. Calvary Baptist Church Cemetery, St. James, LA. All are invited to the repast at the Welcome Park Pavilion following the burial.

Final care and professional services entrusted to Treasures of Life Funeral Services, 315 E. Airline Hwy., Gramercy, LA 70052.

"When someone you love becomes a memory, that memory becomes a TREASURE"