Verna Martin, 91, passed away on Saturday, January 24, 2026, in Cortez, Colorado.

Verna Lou Baldwin was born on February 25, 1934, in Snyder, Kiowa County, Oklahoma, to Jess and Mabel (Leffel) Baldwin. She was the ninth of fourteen children.

The Baldwin family moved from Oklahoma when Verna was an infant. They eventually settled in Montrose, Colorado, and later moved to Cortez. It was in Cortez that Verna met the love of her life, LeRoy Martin. They were married on December 16, 1950, in Farmington, New Mexico. Together, Verna and LeRoy became the parents of four children: Cathy, Chuck, Vicki, and Dusty.

Verna was a true people person. She loved meeting others, making new friends, and welcoming them into her life. Many of those friendships became lifelong bonds. Verna took great joy in being a homemaker, and her home was always open to family, friends, and anyone in need of comfort, companionship, a warm meal, or a place to rest. All were welcome at the Martin home.

During the 1950s and 1960s, the Martin family lived in both Arizona and Colorado. LeRoy served as a Deputy Sheriff in Yuma, Arizona, during the 1950s, and Verna began her career as a waitress at Chretin’s Mexican Restaurant. When the family returned to Colorado, LeRoy became a lieutenant with the Cortez Police Department, and Verna worked at the Pony Express Restaurant. Later, when LeRoy served as a Deputy Sheriff in Gila Bend, Arizona, Verna worked at the Space Age Restaurant and the Chilton Inn.

In the late 1960s, a friend encouraged LeRoy to join the San Juan County Sheriff’s Department in Bluff, Utah. While living in Bluff, Verna operated the Turquoise Café, where she often served as hostess, waitress, cook, and dishwasher—all in the same day.

After LeRoy’s retirement from law enforcement, the couple operated trading posts across the Navajo Reservation. Verna’s natural warmth and people skills shone brightly in her work with the community.

For many years, Verna and LeRoy were also involved in horse racing, a passion they enjoyed together.

She loved gardening and took great pride in her flowers—especially her roses. Verna was also an avid rockhound who enjoyed collecting rocks while on excursions throughout the Four Corners region. She added each new find to her rock gardens.

Verna was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. On March 26, 1996, Verna and LeRoy solemnized their marriage in the Mt. Timpanogos Temple in American Fork, Utah, where they were sealed together for eternity.

Verna is survived by her four children and their spouses: Cathy (Paul), Chuck (Wanda), Vicki (David), and Dusty (Kim); twelve grandchildren—Matt, Scott, Chad, Cody, Sheridan, Robin, Jake, Shawndra, Kim, Sarah, Kate, and Sam; twenty-seven great-grandchildren; and four great-great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her sister, Joan Brownen; her brother, Buck Baldwin; and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband, LeRoy (2014); her parents, Jess and Mabel; her grandson, Mark; four brothers—Weldon, Joe, Jess, and Jack Baldwin; and seven sisters—Sue Coker, Ethel Taylor, Esther Neff, Juanita Thompson, Billy Jean Baldwin, Glenda Pilgrim, and Beverly Baldwin.

She will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved her.

Graveside services were held by the family at the Cortez Cemetery on January 27, 2026. Verna was laid to rest beside her beloved husband, LeRoy.