Casilda E. Martin

Casilda Evelyn Martin
Sunrise, September 13, 1949 ~ Sunset, August 17, 2018

Casilda "Cass" Evelyn Martin, aged 68, passed away peacefully on Friday, August 17, 2018 at her home in Orlando, Florida, after a brief struggle with cancer.

Cass was born on September 13,1949 in Kingston, Jamaica, West Indies. She was the fourth of five daughters born of Cleveland Williams and Mary Williams. Casilda was raised by a mother who had a deep, abiding love of her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Cass inherited the spiritual legacy of her mother,a woman who was meek and quiet in temperament, but powerful in the Christ. Cass' quick wit, easy smile and light-hearted personality was reminiscent of her father, who believed in working hard, and playing (and dancing) even harder.

Cass grew up in Jamaica where she attended the Church of God, serving in the church youth groups, and even serving as secretary for one the groups. She is a graduate of Excelsior High School in Kingston, Jamaica where she studied on a full academic scholarship.

Cass immigrated to the United States in 1970 where she met her late husband of 41 years, Philip George Martin. The couple married in December 15, 1973, and settled in Roselle, New Jersey where they raised their two children, Patrice "Nikki" and Phillip.

Cass studied at Drake Business School and Essex County Community College. Cass enjoyed a career as a real estate agent for 25 years, and for 18 of those years, she held a second job as a gate agent for United Airlines before retiring in 2016.

Her most cherished work, however, was her service to the Lord. As a member of Brothers and Sisters of Zion Revival Church in Newark, New Jersey, Cass worked diligently, serving as secretary, choir member, missionary, planning committee and board member. In September of 2015, Cass was ordained as a deacon by the pastor of her church, Bishop Reverend Doctor Federica Hernandez. In 2016, Cass moved to Orlando, Florida to be closer to family, where she continued to serve her Lord as a member of Antioch Missionary Baptist Church.

During the last few years of her life, she devoted all of her time to her children, grandchildren, sisters and nieces. When she wasn't with her family, you might find her planning her next adventure to a destination on the other side of the world. Cass loved to travel and had visited many countries, including Paris, China, Japan and Thailand (to name a few).

Casilda Evelyn Martin was a beloved woman of God who was blessed with an abundance of joy and strength and a strong, unshakable faith. She was successful career woman, beautiful wife, loyal sister and friend, encouraging mother, and loving grandmother. She is survived by many family and friends, including her immediate family members below:

Mother and Mother-in-law to 4:
Devon and Patrice "Nikki" Beneby
Phillip and Melissa Martin

Grandmother to 5 children:
Anyana "AA" Martin,
Ayden Martin
Mya Martin
Brianna Danea Beneby
Devon "DJ" F. Beneby Jr.

Sister and Sister-in-law to 8:
Althea Williams
Angela Dixon
Errol and Margaret "Dawn" Giwa
Errol and Sharon Thompson
Jennifer Williams Senior
Lorna Curet
Seymour and Olive Edwards
Winston and Beverly Gray