Rachel Rodes Currie Martin

Rachel Rodes Currie Martin (age 94) passed away peacefully at her home in Oxford, MS on October 4, 2025. She was born December 4, 1930, at home, 2336 34th Street in Meridian, MS. Her parents were Rachel Settle Currie and James Hector (Hec) Currie, Jr., an attorney in Meridian. Rachel was the youngest child with three older brothers who predeceased her: James Hector Currie III, Warner Settle Currie (Nanelle), and Rodes Settle Currie.

Rachel graduated from Meridian High School in the summer class of 1948, and attended Mississippi State College for Women (now known as The W) for a year and one half before she married William W. Martin, Jr. of Vicksburg, MS, who died in 1999 after fifty years of marriage. They have three sons: Robert W. Martin of Oxford, J. Barret Martin (Dianne) of Biloxi, and William C. Martin (Carol) of Oxford. They have seven grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren.

When the Martins moved to Memphis in 1955, Rachel attended Memphis State University and earned a degree in education. For almost fifteen years she taught at St. Mary’s Episcopal School for Girls, teaching mainly grades 4-6.

Later, when they moved to Vicksburg in 1975, Rachel taught at St. Francis Xavier School and Warren Junior High School. In 1990, they moved to Oxford. She retired from teaching at Oxford High School in the Special Education Department. After retirement, she opened a tutoring service for children with learning disabilities.

Rachel was a lifelong Presbyterian becoming a Christian in Meridian at First Presbyterian Church. She belonged to College Hill Presbyterian Church (P.C.A) where she will be buried. She enjoyed the special worship and fellowship of the ladies of the Barnabas Bible Study of the church and their teacher Reverend Don Locke.

Close to her heart, also, were her dogs and Paso Fino horses.

Funeral will be at College Hill Presbyterian Church, Monday, October 13, 2025. Visitation at the church 10:00am-12:00pm, service at 12:00pm. Burial in cemetery will be family only after the service.

Memorial contributions may be made to the “New Building” fund for

College Hill Presbyterian Church, 339 County Road 102, Oxford MS 38655 or visit the CHP website @ chpcoxford.org.