Virginia Lee Martin

Virginia Lee Appleby LaMar Martin (1930-2025)

 Virginia Lee Appleby LaMar Martin, of Brownsburg, went to be with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ January 7, 2025. She was 94 years old.

 She was born in Indianapolis August 12, 1930, to Frank and Elma Appleby. An outstanding student and flag-bearer (“majorette”) for the Ben Davis High School band, Virginia was graduated in 1948. She later attended classes at Butler University.

 Growing up in the Great Depression, Virginia and her family overcame many obstacles. Her father was at Pearl Harbor when it was bombed. Her only other sibling, brother Walter Eugene Appleby, a U.S. Army medic was killed in Germany just two months before WWII ended. Times were hard, food was rationed, but she grew up surrounded by the love and fellowship of cousins, aunts, and uncles.

 She worked at the Indiana State Police office at Stout Field, where she met her first husband, Walter LaMar. During the Korean War, she followed Walt to California’s Camp Pendleton, where he was a U.S. Marine Corps Sergeant. After they returned to Indiana and he continued his career with Indiana State Police, Virginia started a 60-year career as a medical transcriptionist for private-practice doctors and hospitals in Indianapolis, Dallas, and Houston. She worked every day until she was 84 years old, including a stint alongside Walt as managers for La Quinta Inns.

 After Walt passed away in 1993, Virginia married longtime friend Tine P. Martin Sr., a buddy she had known since kindergarten at Ben Davis Elementary School. During their nearly 30-year marriage, they had fun, getting involved with Ben Davis alumni groups, Ben Davis Christian Church activities, Korean War Veterans Association events, and travel. They toured the British Isles, where she spent her 75th birthday socializing with the Mayor of Liverpool.

 Virginia definitely was adventurous. She celebrated her 76th birthday by taking to the skies in a private plane, even taking the wheel for a few minutes. She tried her hand at creative writing, self-publishing a book of short stories, titled Vignettes of Life. Her yet-unpublished effort, Up In The Air, focused on female aviators and the “Powder Puff Derby.”

 She enjoyed “cozy mysteries,” crocheting and knitting, assembling jigsaw puzzles, and watching British comedies and classic movies, along with her favorite music selections. For several years, she was President of the Ben Davis Women’s Alumnae Association.

 Virginia was preceded in death by her parents and brother, her husband Walter LaMar, and husband Tine Martin Sr. Survivors include her son James Michael LaMar; daughter Susan LaMar Wade (Richard Wade); grandchildren Denise Wade, Angela Holland, and Kenneth Wade (Gladys); and great-grandchildren Madison and Logan Wade; daughters Luann Simpson (Donald) and Dianne Tillett and son Tine P. Martin Jr (Ella); grandchildren Allison Martin, Kellie Martin Divecha, Amber Parnell (Andre), Brad Pence, Jerry Pence, Chasity Martin, Joe Tillett, and J.R. Tillett; close cousins Verne Trester, Beverly Trester, and Don Duncan; numerous friends and neighbors.