Joela Ann (Guyton) Martin of Erie, beloved mother, grandmother, sister, and friend, passed away at home surrounded by her family at the age of 86 on Wednesday July 1, 2026.<\/p>\n
Joela was born on May 12, 1940, in Oil City, PA to Joeseph Andrew Guyton and Lavonne Helen (Kane) Guyton.<\/p>\n
Joela grew up in Oil City, Pa. <\/p>\n
She attended St. Stephens grade school and Oil City High School and was a member of St. Stephens RC Church. <\/p>\n
In 1959 she met her future husband John (Jack) T. Martin (also from Oil City); they were married in May 1961. <\/p>\n
She resided in Clarion, before moving to Erie, with her husband and family in 1969. <\/p>\n
She was a member of Our Lady of Peace RC Church, and she formerly worked for Verizon, JC Penney, First National Bank of PA, and was a Avon representative for many years.<\/p>\n
Joela loved spring and summer with the emergence of flowers and the return of the birds that would come to visit her bird feeder; she loved animals. <\/p>\n
She loved the holidays and family gatherings; she said it reminded her of when she was young. <\/p>\n
She was also an avid collector of cow d\u00e9cor which she had throughout her house. <\/p>\n
She enjoyed time with her family, visiting friends, and luncheon-dinners with her former co-workers and friends from JC penny and Verizon over the years. <\/p>\n
Joela was a \u2018social butterfly\u2019 and could make friends with anyone in a short time, all those she would meet grew to adore her and always looked forward to seeing her. <\/p>\n
Joela always saw the good and smiled, she never saw the bad, no matter what life threw at her over the years.<\/p>\n
She taught her boys what her mother taught her: \u201cIf you can\u2019t say anything nice, don\u2019t say anything at all\u201d.<\/p>\n
Joela was an amazing and loving Mother and Grandmother. <\/p>\n
She will be greatly missed by her family and friends. <\/p>\n
Her presence was like no other.<\/p>\n
She is survived by her five sons: John C. and Nancy of Erie, Thomas P. and Brenda of Conneautville, Patrick J. and Jill of Lancaster, Daniel N. and Julie of Fairview, and Kevin of Erie. <\/p>\n
She is further survived by her brothers and sisters: Sherry Thomas, Pamela and Allen Fogg, Christine and Robert Shattenburg, T.J. Guyton,
and David and Barbara Guyton; her grandchildren: Ryan, Jade, Jared, Saraya, Matthew, Owen, and Genie; an aunt, Teresa Guyton; sisters-in-law, Judy Leupold and Joan McCadden, and many nieces and nephews.<\/p>\n
In addition to her parents, she was proceeded in death by her husband, John (Jack) T. Martin of 46 years; a brother-in-law, Brian Thomas; a sister-in-law, Kay Guyton; a nephew, Drew Guyton, and her cousin, Sandra Goreczny, as well as many aunts, uncles, and cousins.<\/p>\n
Friends may call at Burton Quinn Scott Cremation & Funeral Services Inc., West Ridge, 3801 W. 26th St., Erie on Thursday July 9, 2026, from 2:00 pm \u2013 6:00 pm and are invited to attend a Funeral Mass on Friday July 10, 2026, at 10:00 am in Our Lady of Peace RC Church, 2401 West 38th St., Erie. <\/p>\n
Burial at Laurel Hill Cemetery.<\/p>\n
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in her name to: Mercy Center for Women https:\/\/www.mcwerie.org\/ or the Anna Shelter www.theannashelter.com<\/p>\n
A special thanks to Interim Healthcare Hospice, her Nurse Jordan and her care takers Dawn Popovich, Jess Keeney, and to Lisa Donikowski for making special memories with her early on.<\/p>\n