Tome Sue (Carnes) Martin, 77, passed away peacefully on July 31st, 2020. A Rockwall local, Tome was the adored wife of Gary Martin, her soul mate and adventurous sidekick. A devoted mother to Chris, Todd and Gary’s children Cole, CJ and Kelli and doting grandmother to Caden, Caroline, Chance, Gracie, Kate, Landri, Lucy, Nicholas and Spencer. She is also survived by her sister Julia Miller and husband Gary; and nieces Stacey and Jill– Tome’s life revolved around her much loved family and friends.
Tome was born in Fort Worth, Texas in 1942 to parents Tommy and Grace Carnes – younger sister to Julia. As a child, she lit up the room with her bright and sunny disposition and prompted endless fun with her pranks. Tome’s spirited personality only grew alongside Gary as they joined (and relished) motorcycle and Corvette groups taking them to new places and expanding their treasured circle of friends. Tome’s love of entertaining, occasions and lifelong friendships will be dearly missed by the clubs she adored: Birthday Club, Dinner Club, and Red Hat’s Club. Tome had a terrific sense of humor and was known for telling her friends, “we’ll be friends forever because you know too much.”
Though a loyal, genuine Texan by birth and home address, Tome’s heart was in Perdido Key, Florida where she discovered her happy place alongside Gary. The beach, ocean views and plentiful space for family and friends, fostered endless memories and the close relationships that she cherished. Her love of this special place has been passed down two generations and will forever evoke happy times with Tome in the kitchen, the consummate entertainer.
Tome was active in the Rockwall community she loved and was a long-time member of the Women’s League and Friends of the Library. Through the Women’s League she donated her organizational, philanthropic and entertaining skills to support the community. She will be remembered by family and friends for her adventurous spirit, love of entertaining, generosity, passion for cooking… and of course, her world-famous hot sauce!
Her family asks that contributions be made to Cure Alzheimer’s Fund in lieu of flowers.
