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MARTIN, MARY LOU Age 83, died suddenly in Red Wing, Minnesota, on Sunday, April 7th. She is survived by her children Robert (Kate Abell) of New York, David (Rhonda Bonds), Louisville, and Julie (Jeff Chalmers), Red Wing; her brothers Wilburn (Kingsport, TN), Don (Lebanon, VA), Owen (Kingsport ) and Jerry (Albuquerque, NM); 11 grandchildren; and one great-grandchild. Lou is the widow of Galen Martin. She lived in Frankfort, Kentucky, Louisville, Albuquerque, and most recently in Red Wing. Lou was born in Wallins Creek in Harlan County, Kentucky, to Ollie C. and Reva Allgood. She was a graduate of Dobyns-Bennett High School in Kingsport, TN and Berea College. Her early childhood in Harlan County formed the setting for her novel "Above the Slate," published by the Jesse Stuart Foundation in 2002. Lou was the author of numerous other short stories and poetry. As a long-time Kentucky state government employee she worked as a publicist and writer for the Department of Environmental Protection and other agencies. Outside of her professional life, Lou was an advocate for many causes, including environmental issues, senior citizens, and civil rights. On the day Lou died, she drafted a card to her Minnesota State Representative saying, "I support the freedom to marry for loving and committed same-sex couples because the constitution requires that we treat everyone equally." For the past 15 years Lou lived primarily in Albuquerque. There she participated with her many friends in the New Life Presbyterian Church Sunday Random Sacks of Kindness lunchtime sandwich program for homeless people. Lou was a role model and friend not only to her children, but to their spouses as well. She developed a close and loving relationship with each of her grandchildren and leaves good memories with all. Lou's last act of giving was to donate herself to the University of Minnesota School of Medicine. Memorial services are being planned for Red Wing, Minnesota, and Kentucky. Contributions may be made to New Life Presbyterian Church, Random Sacks of Kindness, 5540 Eubank Boulevard NE Albuquerque, NM 87111 or Kentuckians for the Commonwealth, P.O. Box 1450, London, KY 40743.
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