Patricia Huddleston Martin died June 13 at her home in Gadsden at age 92.
Pat Martin could tell stories about growing up in Clanton in the 1930s and 1940s.
She could tell stories about graduating as a music major at the University of Alabama in the early 1950s.
She could tell stories about winning the Miss Alabama crown in 1955.
She could tell stories about competing in the 1956 Miss America pageant as a singer and pianist.
She could tell stories about performing in New York musicals, including the Broadway production of Juno.
She then met and married Gadsden oil businessman James D. “Jim” Martin. They were married for over six decades until his death at age 99 in 2017.
During their lives together, they were active in their church and community in Gadsden. They were early founders of the Alabama Republican Party.
In 1962, Jim Martin was the Republican candidate for U.S. Senate. He came within a fraction of upsetting longtime U.S. Sen. Lister Hill (D-Montgomery).
In 1964, Jim Martin was elected to Congress riding the coattails of Republican presidential candidate U.S. Sen. Barry Goldwater. Martin served one term.
In 1966, Jim Martin was the Republican candidate for governor, opposing the winner of the Democrat primary, Lurleen Wallace. She was running as a stand-in for her husband, Gov. George Wallace, who was constitutionally barred from running for a second consecutive term. Mrs. Wallace won.
Supporters of Jim Martin had coined the catchy slogan, “Beat her and him with Pat and Jim.” It did not work.
In their later years, the Martin couple were active in conservation. Jim Martin was appointed to the governor’s cabinet as Conservation Commissioner. A 2022 documentary, "Forever Wild: The James D. Martin Story." was produced by Alabama Public Television about the Martins and their work in conservation.
Mrs. Martin was a longtime, active member of the Republican Women and was also actively involved in her community.
She taught Sunday School. She was known for a thrilling rendition of The Lord’s Prayer.
Her funeral service was held on Saturday, June 21, at Gadsden First United Methodist Church, her church of many years, where she sang in the choir and spent many years in worship and service to her Lord. She was laid to rest at Elmwood Cemetery in Birmingham.
Pat and Jim Martin. Back together again.
Jim ‘Zig’ Zeigler’s beat is the colorful and positive about Alabama -- her people, places, events, groups and prominent deaths. He is a former Alabama Public Service Commissioner and State Auditor. You can reach him for comments at [email protected].
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