ULYSSES FORD MARTIN was born on August 9, 1907 in Carrollton, Mississippi, the oldest of eight children of Rufus and Marie Martin. He received his early education in Carrollton where he met sweetheart, Mazera, while the two were students.

Ulysses was a soft-spoken, happy man, who loved music. He enjoyed dancing and played the trombone. He attended M.I. college in Holly Springs, Mississippi and was a member of the orchestra. He was a genuinely kind man. His conuntenance expressed love and strength that enfolded his family and friends. The source of his strenght and love was his deep, abiding faith and intimate relationship with God.

He accepted Christ at a young age at his hometown at Helen Chapel C.M.E. Church. It was there that he and Mazera were joined in holy matrimony on Thanksgiving Day, 1933. They were blessed with ten children. Two daughters, Pearl and Rose, and one son, William, preceded him in death.

In 1958 the Martin family relocated to Los Angeles, and joined Ward A.M.E. Church the same year. Ulysses was a member of the August Birthmonth Club, and faithfully attended Sunday School and Wednesday afternoon Bible Study until his health failed in 1989.

In the quiet early morning hours on Thursday, November 24, 1994, Ulysses left his earthly home and celebrated his homegoing with the Lord in his heavenly habitation.

He leaves to cherish his memory, emulate his love and strength: Mazera, his devoted wife of sixty-one years; daughters, Emma Golden, Eloise Dangerfield, Elizabeth Sweeney and Bernice Lombard; sons, Ulysses Jr.(of Las Vegas), Rufus and Wayne Martin; brothers, Rufus (of Las Vegas) and William Martin; sisters, Carrie Hardy, Mary Smith (of Memphis) and Myrtle Edwards; twenty-seven grandchildren; twenty-four great-grandchildren; other relatives and a host of friends.