Nov.
2, 1954 - Jan. 20, 2010SOUTH BEND - Bishop Rodney R.G. Martin Sr., 55, a resident of South Bend, IN, made his earthly departure at 1:30 a.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 20, 2010, at Memorial Hospital, South Bend, IN. Bishop Martin entered this world on November 2, 1954. Bishop Martin was born to Melva Marie Martin and Grant Martin Jr. in Henderson, KY. Bishop Martin attended Riley and St. Joe High Schools in South Bend, IN, graduated from Wawasee Prep High School in Wawasee, IN. Bishop Martin earned his degree from Jackson State University. Some of Bishop Martin's employment history includes South Bend Housing Authority, Program Manger at Goodwill Industries and Administrator for 3M Daycare, named after his mother, Melva Marie Martin. On April 5, 2008, Bishop Martin and Ruth E. Husband were united in wedlock. Bishop Martin began pastoring in Nashville, TN. He was the pastor and founder of the Kingdom Living Christian Center Church, located at 700 Ewing Ave., Nashville, TN. After relocating to South Bend, IN, Bishop Martin served faithfully as an associate Elder at Unity in GOD through Christ Outreach Ministries under the leadership of Bishop R.L. Jackson. Bishop Martin then, being led of the Lord, became the Assistant Pastor of Christian Faith Worship Center and served faithfully under the leadership of Bishop O.T. Coleman Sr. While serving as assistant pastor, Bishop Martin was elevated to the office of Jurisdictional Bishop for the State of Indiana, Glory to GOD Fellowship. Bishop Martin, while being led by the Holy Ghost and through much prayer, became pastor and founder of Kingdom Harvest Christian Center here in South Bend. Bishop Martin was a very humble, gentle and caring person and truly had a heart for winning souls to Christ and a heart for GOD, as evidenced by the great love of his children, his childhood friends and his church congregation. Bishop Martin was an outstanding teacher of the Word of God and enjoyed Ministry. Bishop Martin leaves to cherish his memories his wife, Ruth E. Martin of South Bend, IN; four daughters, Shenita King and Angela Husband of South Bend, IN, Chiquita Martin of Chesapeake, Virginia, Montrese Williamson of Beltsville, Maryland; two goddaughters, Sakeia Wilson of South Bend and Saundriana Cornell of Chattanooga, TN; Bishop Martin's godfamily, Stan and Alease Mitchem, and family, two godsisters, Alfreda Cornell of Nashville, TN, and Ola Sanders of South Bend, IN; two sons, Rodney Martin Jr. of Rex, Georgia, and Rodney G. Taylor Sr. of South Bend, IN; four granddaughters, Alizay and Alexis Alexander, Miracle Williams and Kanyiah McCloud, all of South Bend, IN; 12 grandsons, Martell Marshall, Chachie McCloud, Jeyceon Smith, Geoffrey and Tyshawn Husband, Rodney G. Taylor Jr., Cornell, Rodheim, Juan and Quer'vo Taylor, all of South Bend, Darius Husband of Phoenix, AZ, and Demari Martin of Rex, GA; and a host of cousins and other family members and church family. Loved ones who preceded him in death include grandparents, Josh and Della Brown of Corrbon, KY; parents, Melva and Grant Martin Jr.; and his sister, Carla Doty of South Bend, IN. Visitation services for Bishop Rodney R.G. Martin will be held on Friday, January 29, in the New Hope Ministries, 313 Ohio St., from 6 to 8:30 p.m. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, January 30, in New Hope Ministries, 313 Ohio St., at 9:30 a.m. Burial will follow funeral services at Highland Cemetery. The Clark-O'Neal Funeral Home has been entrusted with funeral arrangements.