Mrs. Tina Marie Martin

Tina Marie Martin Sayles, a “Real One”, would like you to know that her work here is complete. She received a call with an offer too grand to refuse – an invitation for a new assignment with a huge sign-on bonus, a reunion with family and friends she has not seen in a long time. Her new assignment comes with heavenly benefits: endless beauty, infectious laughter, and the finer things in life. She’ll be strutting around in her high heels, hair perfectly slayed, nails freshly done, while listening to her favorite R&B love songs, hip-hop, gospel, and neo-soul. With this new assignment, the food is amazingly delicious, the company is divine, and the calories don’t count. So when the Maker of this new assignment told her to put on her wings, she complied. But wanted to leave a message to remaining family and friends…the message…She understood the previous assignments! Tina understood the assignment of childhood and young adulthood. Born December 7, 1971 to Curtis and Barbara Ann Martin in Cincinnati, Ohio, Tina grew up with an engaging energy and spirit. From her early days as a cheerleader to her time in the UC College-Conservatory of Music’s youth choir, Tina’s love for life and those finer things glowed. After graduating from Withrow High School in 1990, she moved on her own eventually making her way to Atlanta, Georgia where her mother and sister had previously relocated. Her boyfriend at the time, Larry Sayles, soon followed his Boo to Atlanta. Tina understood the assignment of work. She worked various jobs, including a clothing store. Yall know she loved dressing up! But eventually she left the retail world to get a job with a better schedule, benefits, and pay at the State of Georgia Department of Consumer Affairs. She served in this job for more than 25 years. Tina understood the assignment of business. Tina knew she craved success and the finer things in life, so she didn’t just stop with her State job, she joined Larry in his paving and striping business. She later founded Tina’s Paving SealCoating, and Striping LLC, and her and Larry used both businesses to win contracts and worked them along with their sons. Together, they laid the groundwork for a legacy – a business bringing family together in purpose and pride. Tina understood the assignment of motherhood. She raised her two sons, Asante Nigel Martin, and Naim Prince Sayles with love, sassiness, and a determination to see them thrive. She made sure they were equipped to stand tall, with jobs, life skills, and independence – because she believed in preparing them for a life of their own, just as she had built hers. Tina understood the assignment of family. She had a way of connecting, not just with immediate family, but with her nieces, nephews, “bonus children”, cousins, and close friends. Quiet as it’s kept, until recently, she was the one you called when you got put out your home or wanted to move to Atlanta. Through the years, she shared her home with several. Tina could cook and enjoyed occasional Sunday, birthday, and holiday dinners as well as special outings with family. Tina understood the assignment of Fashion and Style. Her fashion sense was a mixture of sexiness, sophistication, divaness, bling, and high heels! You would not catch her out at the store in her pajamas, house shoes, or bonnet. Never! Tina Marie had an ABC standard….Always Be Cute!...and she was!!! Tina Marie Martin Sayles’ previous assignments may be over, but her spirit remains with those who loved her most: Larry, who not only served as her husband, but her business partner, fashion consultant, best friend, and shopping partner; her sons, Asante and Naim; her “bonus children”, Antonio Thompson, Andrea Thompson, and Hakeem Sayles; her parents, Curtis (Angel) Martin and Barbara Ann Martin; her mother-in-love, Ms. Laverne Harper; her sisters, Rochelle (Joseph) Smith, Angela Martin, Nafisah Fudaeel, Kristina (James) Larkin, Itesha Martin, and Ingrid White; her brothers, Curtis (Stephanie) Anthony (Tony) Martin, Joshua Martin, and Zachariah Martin; many nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, cousins, grandchildren, and dear friends. Preceded in death by her brother, Christopher Martin, Tina leaves behind a legacy of love, laughter, and style that will be remembered forever. May her wings carry her to the highest heights as she embarks on her new, glorious assignment.Harper; her sisters, Rochelle (Joseph) Smith, Angela Martin, Nafisah Fudaeel, Kristina (James) Larkin, Itesha Martin, and Ingrid White; her brothers, Curtis (Stephanie) Anthony (Tony) Martin, Joshua Martin, and Zachariah Martin; many nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, cousins, grandchildren, and dear friends. Preceded in death by her brother, Christopher Martin, Tina leaves behind a legacy of love, laughter, and style that will be remembered forever. May her wings carry her to the highest heights as she embarks on her new, glorious assignment.

Tributes

Mrs. Tina Marie Martin

December 7, 1971 - October 12, 2024