Ellen Rose Martin

Ellen Rose Martin died of complications of chronic myeloid leukemia in her home in Vancouver, Wash., March 30, 2013. She is the beloved wife of Merle Newcomb, who survives. A public graveside service will be held at 11 am Friday, April 5, 2013 at Granite Hill Cemetery in Grants Pass. Hull and Hull Funeral Directors will provide arrangements. Officiating will be Greg Stiles and Pastors Jim Cartwright, Brian Phelps and Dale Meador of Bear Creek Church in Medford, Oregon.

Ellen was the mother of seven children and a pastor's wife for 53 years. She was born May 26, 1930 in Fox, Okla., to William Henry Harrison Morris and Lora Etta Bellah Morris. Ellen was the youngest of six children: Zelpha Atchley, Walton Morris, Leota Calhoun, Edna Sims Brown and JD Morris. They were migrant farm workers, picking cotton in Oklahoma and oranges, apples and peaches in California and working in the apricot yards, preparing fruit to dry in the sun. Her father saved enough money to buy property in George West, Texas where they grew and sold watermelon. At one time they had 40 milking cows, including a stubborn bovine who would only let Ellen milk her while wearing her Dad’s overalls. At age 17, while working as a waitress at a cafe in George West, Ellen spilled a pitcher of water on handsome young soldier. A few days later she saw the same World War II veteran in her living room talking with her Dad about renting a room. Gerald and Ellen fell in love and were married October 25, 1947 in Beeville Texas. Ellen was a church pianist and wrote worship songs. She taught her daughters to sing and play piano and they all sang and played in church. She discipled her children, teaching them to love God's Word. Gerald was a pastor of churches in Pampa, Texas, Salt Lake City, Boise, Idaho, Sunnyside, Wash., Renton, Wash. and others.

Ellen has 7 children: Robert Martin (Melissa) of LaGrande, Ore., Kathleen Martin of LaGrande, Ore., Barbara McLean (Bob) of Weston, Ore., Virginia Clement (Caleb) of Vancouver, Wash., Janell Gregory (Gary) of Emmett, Idaho, Melissa Stiles (Greg) of Medford, Ore., and Ross Martin (Wendy) of Marysville, Wash. She has 18 grandchildren and 25 great grandchildren: Steven and Elli Martin ( Lindsey Shaye), Michelle Martin, Rob Martin (Sam, Rhys) and Michael Martin; Ryan Nations (Isaak); Rachelle Roggiero (Whitney, Sean, Sebastian, Charlie), Erin and Kris Dalrymple (Michael, Kristopher, Kamryn, Konnor), Sean and Robin Roggiero (Jade, Kaylee); Dawn Clement and Brett Hodge (Noah, Elvin), Barak and Sonja Clement, Marilee Clement, Graham Clement, Jim and Misty Schwandt (Tristin), Jake and Sherri Schwandt (Kailen, Chance), Josh Schwandt (Traedon, Bodi, Emma), Chas and Whitney Gregory (Kloey, Kadence), Martin Stiles, Sophie Stiles.

Later in life, Ellen worked at the Riverside Inn on the Rogue River in Grants Pass. Her husband was the pastor of Grants Pass Bible Church at the time and she continued to enjoy her ministry as the pastor's wife. She cared for him during his lengthy battle with cancer. After his death in 1991, Ellen moved to Medford and completed the Moving On program at Rogue Community College. She went to work for the Mail Tribune until her diagnosis of breast cancer in 1996. She lived a short while in Phoenix before moving to Winston. Later, she moved to Vancouver, Wash., where she met Merle 'Bud' Newcomb, whom she married on June 21, 2006, in La Grande, Ore. They were members of Westminster Presbyterian Church in Vancouver, Wash. Her 'otter' personality lit up the game room at Vintage Apartments, where they lived. They enjoyed playing bunco, bingo, Pinochle, organizing potlucks and watching Seattle Mariners games.

Ellen enjoyed riding her bicycle without gear around the hilly streets of Boise and hiking in Southern Oregon. She took many road trips to Fort Davis, San Antonio and Wichita Falls, Texas; Arches, Canyon Lands and Grand Canyon National Parks; Banff, British Columbia; and the Washington-Baltimore area. She flew to Hawaii twice and loved every minute of it. She took a cruise to Alaska that featured the teaching of one of her favorite authors, R.C. Sproul. She also enjoyed reading outloud with her daughters C.H. Spurgeon’s “Morning and Evening” and A.W. Pink’s 'Attributes of God.' She possessed the hope of heaven because Jesus Christ was her righteousness. She reminded herself on her deathbed the promise of Jesus in John 13:1, 'Having loved His own, He loved them to the end.'

Ellen is preceded in death by her parents, siblings and infant granddaughter Lora Jane Stiles. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be sent to Cascade Christian High School, 855 Chevy Way, Medford, OR 97504.