Woodrow G. Martin

Woodrow G. Martin of Cuba, MO was born on Saturday, October 2, 1948, in Cherryville, Missouri to Dewayne Woodrow Martin and Lena Magdalene Martin, nee Blake.  He passed away at his residence on Tuesday, November 1, 2022, at the age of 74 years and 30 days.

Woodrow accepted the Lord as his personal Savior at an early age and was obedient to God’s calling on his life as a minister of the gospel. After graduating from Cuba High School in 1966, he began his educational training at St. Louis Christian College in Florissant, MO. During the summers and weekends, Woodrow worked as a swamper in the Illinois oil fields and as a weekend minister at Antioch Christian Church and Youth Pastor at First Christian Church in Noble, IL. While youth pastoring, he met his lifelong partner and best friend, Deborah Kay Schnell. During this time, he also became interested in pursuing a license as a private pilot. He completed this goal several years later at the Cuba Municipal Airport. He graduated from college with a B.A. in Ministry in 1970 and ordained at the St. James Christian Church in St. James, MO. Woodrow and Debbie were married at the First Christian Church in Noble, IL on August 21, 1970 and to this union 3 children were born; Julie, John and Carrie. He pastored at Mason Christian Church in Mason, IL from 1970 to 1975 while he was attending Lincoln Christian Seminary in Lincoln, IL. He graduated in 1975 with a Master of Divinity degree and moved back to his hometown of Cuba, MO where he started Cuba Christian Church and pastored there for 37 years. Woodrow earned his Doctor of Ministry degree from Concordia Lutheran Seminary in 1992 and a Master of Arts in Professional Counseling from Lindenwood University in 1994. 

Woodrow had a huge heart for serving people and giving back to his community.  He volunteered as a Lone-Star 4H leader, a Boy Scout den leader, and a summer league baseball and softball coach. He was employed as the Transportation Director at Cuba R-II School District for 21 years and at the Wentzville School District for 2 years.  He worked at the Division of Aging for a short while and for the Bourbon School District in the transportation department and as a classroom aide. He was an EMT for North Crawford County Ambulance District from 1978 – 1997, followed by a brief tenure as a Missouri Baptist Hospice Chaplain. Through the years, he served on the board of directors for North Crawford County Ambulance District, Friends Helping Friends (SB40), the Senior Citizens, and the Crawford County R-II School District Board of Education. He was a past interim pastor for Corinth Baptist Church in Salem, MO and was recently pastoring Union Hill Baptist Church in Vienna, MO.

Woodrow loved his family, spending time with them, and supporting their endeavors. One of his most treasured achievements was having baptized all three of his children, his two grandsons and was present for the confession of faith and baptism of his granddaughter. Woodrow was passionate about traveling the country to visit and collect books and memorabilia from presidential and civil war sites. He also enjoyed collecting antique tools, model trains, and various other specialty items including his restored 1957 Chevrolet Bel-Air.  Even though he has completed his earthly journey and his family will miss him greatly, they celebrate in God’s promise of being reunited with him one day.

He was preceded in death by his parents Dewayne and Lena Martin; parents-in-law Doyle and Winona Schnell; daughter Julie Dawn Martin Koch; sister-in-law Janet Larson; and brother-in-law Stanley Helvey.

Woodrow is survived by his loving wife of 52 years Debbie Martin of Cuba, MO; son John G. Martin of Cuba, MO; daughter Carrie Martin Myers of Cuba, MO; sons-in-law Steve Koch and Patrick “PJ” Myers both of Cuba, MO; sisters Barbara Helvey of Strafford, MO and Shirley Hendon of Georgia; sister-in-law Linda (Ronn) Smith of Cape Coral, FL; grandchildren Devin (Chazz) Palmgren of St. Louis, MO, Layton Myers and Trenton Myers both of Cuba, MO; great granddaughter Elora Palmgren of St. Louis, MO; nieces, nephews, cousins, and many friends.

Visitation will be on Friday, November 11, 2022, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Hutson Funeral Home, Cuba, Missouri.  Memorial Service will be 10 a.m. on Saturday, November 12, 2022, at Hutson Funeral Home, Cuba, Missouri with Pastor Justin Mosher officiating.  The family has chosen cremation as his final disposition.  A private burial will be held at a later date.

Memorials are suggested to the Crawford County R-II Scholarship Fund or to the church of your choice.

All arrangements under the care of Hutson Funeral Home, Cuba, Missouri.

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