Gizelle Martin

Gizelle Martin passed from this life into the next on Monday, February 12, 2024, in Nashville, Tennessee at the age of 67. She was born in Leesburg, Florida on July 19, 1956. She was the third child and second daughter of Norman and Mary Garrett.

In her early years, she lived in various places but spent most of her childhood in southern California. As a girl, she enjoyed camping with her family, riding horses, and playing with her sister Sheila and other neighborhood friends.

In 1979, she married the love of her life, Rick Martin. By 1980, their first son, Ryan, was born. Several moves and years later, God blessed them with their second son, Bryce, and their family was complete. Gizelle delighted in being a homemaker and being actively involved in the activities of her husband, sons, and community. She was active in the church, Boy Scouts, and any other venture her boys wanted to be involved with. 

Gizelle’s greatest joy in life was her family. She spent her life creating a home that was not only a place of refuge and peace for her family but the countless friends, neighbors, and even strangers she took care of over the years. It was a guarantee that you would walk into her home where the pillows were arranged comfortably, and warm cookies were waiting on the counter.

Gizelle’s circle of loved ones ranges from coast to coast, across the Atlantic, and even throughout cyberspace. Whether it was her daily Facebook conversations keeping up with her pen pals, the childhood friends on the West Coast she kept up with even when in Tennessee, people she met from her sons’ various school activities or jobs, or her ladies bible study group, she had the power to make everyone feel like the most important person in the world. 

Gizelle loved nature and loved taking long back road drives with her love, Rick. While she never wanted to be the subject of the photo, she took delight in capturing the many flowers, birds, and other nature scenes they found during their weekly adventures.  She was a woman who wasn’t picky but always knew what she wanted. Some of her favorite things included iced coffee from McDonald’s; spoiling her pets JoJo and Francis; collecting Barbie dolls; and decorating the house for holidays.  

She will forever be remembered for her unconditional love, constant ability to find the bright side, and love of her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Gizelle is preceded in death by her parents, Norman and Mary Garrett; brother, Bill Garrett; mother-in-law Julia Cavanaugh; and sister-in-law Barbara Newman. She leaves behind many heartbroken family members including husband Rick; son Ryan Martin and wife Rachel; son Bryce Martin and partner Mia McGiffert; sister Sheila Panzone and husband Mark; niece Erica Martin and husband Alan Hood; nephew Danny Panzone; niece Kristen Garrett; nephew Randy Garrett; Lewis and Gail Moore; and countless other family members and friends.

Visitation services will be held on Monday, February 19, 2024, from 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm at West Harpeth Funeral Home, located at 6962 Charlotte Pike, Nashville, TN 37209. Following the visitation, a Celebration of Life will commence at 5:00 pm, to be immediately followed by a reception for food and fellowship. For those unable to attend in person, the celebration of life will be live-streamed. The livestream will begin 15 minutes prior to the Celebration of Life Memorial Service time.  You may access the livestream by clicking the following link:  https://view.oneroomstreaming.com/index.php?data=MTcwODEzMDYxMTI5NjEzNSZvbmVyb29tLWFkbWluJmNvcHlfbGluaw==

In honor of Gizelle's love for flowers, the family welcomes floral arrangements to be sent to the funeral home for the service. Alternatively, for those inclined to make a contribution, we kindly suggest donations to the Natchez Trace Parkway Association, Inc, one of Gizelle's favorite places for long drives.