Darnell A. Martin

Age 76, of Otisville, formerly of Mt. Morris, died Tuesday, May 16, 2023, at Ascension Genesys Hospital in Grand Blanc. Mass of Christian Burial will take place at 11:00 am, on Tuesday, May 23, 2023, at St. Mary Catholic Church in Mt. Morris. Rev. Fr. Roy Horning will officiate with burial to follow in Calvary Cemetery. Darnell’s family will be present to receive friends from 1:00 pm until 8:00 pm on Monday at Martin Funeral, Cremation & Tribute Services in Mt. Morris. On Tuesday morning, she will be taken to church to lie in state from 10:00 am until the time of the Funeral Mass at 11:00 am. Those desiring may direct memorial contributions to St. Mary Catholic Church or the Young Musicians Community. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home and church.

Darnell was born June 21, 1946, in Flint, Michigan, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Wilfred “Bill” and Joyce (Noe) Halpin. Educated locally, she attended St. Mary’s and Mt. Morris Schools, graduating from Mt. Morris High School with the Class of 1964. Darnell was an accomplished baton twirler, having performed with flaming batons and even leading the Orange Bowl parade one year. After high school, Darnell attended the University of Chicago, studying design. She and Miles T. “Tom” Martin were united in marriage on May 31, 1969, at St. Mary Catholic Church in Mt. Morris. He preceded her in death on May 20, 2016. She owned and operated Miles Martin Funeral Home, along with her husband, from 1971 until 2006, during which time she would have been involved with and volunteered for many community events over the years. During the 1980s, she started her own business, “Designs by Darnell,” a knitting business, which also led to Darnell writing two books on the subject of machine knitting. She enjoyed traveling, visiting many destinations, and they had a place in Jensen Beach, Florida, that they wintered at for many years. In the early 2000s, she and Tom moved to Otisville, where the two of them enjoyed their property and the wildlife there immensely. Throughout her life, she enjoyed her numerous pets: cats, dogs, birds, fish, ducks, raccoons, monkeys, and more. Darnell was always up to date on the most recent politics, loved Dr. Pepper, and was one of the most straightforward individuals on the planet.

Surviving are her children: Adam and wife, Jennifer Martin, Andrea and husband, Frank Kruppa; two granddaughters: Emilie and Lillian; and many nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, cousins, and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, brother, Michael, and grandson, Miles Alexander Martin.