Jo Sykes Watson Martin

Jo Sykes Watson Martin, 97, of Matthews, passed away Thursday, August 27, 2020 at The Addison of Indian Trail in Monroe.

She was born February 2, 1923 in North Carolina to the late John Oscar Sykes and the late Elva McCoy Sykes.  In addition to her parents, she is also preceded in death by First Husband, Norman R. Watson, Second Husband, Bill Adcock, and Third Husband, DeeBee Moore Martin; sisters, Faye Sykes Zagar, and Sue Sykes House; niece, Jon Stephanie Zagar; brother-in-law, John Zagar.

Jo is survived by daughter, Toie Watson Blake and her husband, Perry Marshall Blake; step-granddaughter, Mandy Adcock; step-sons, Rev. Steve Martin and Rev.Phillip Martin; nephew, Mark Zagar and his wife, Linda; niece, Shelia Dawn Zagar; and cousins, Tony McCoy and Jack Patterson.

She started working at the early age of six years old, selling candy bars out of a little wagon. Times were rough.  After high school she roller skated telegraph messages within Western Union.  After WWII she went to work at Reichold Chemicals as an executive assistant.  She also worked at EF Hutton investment firm as an account executive.  Jo and her first husband, Norman Watson, started an accounting business where she remained until she was 85 years old.  Take it easy in heaven wonderful lady!  You deserve the rest!

Jo graduated from Charlotte Technical High School in 1941. Following graduation, she married Norman Reid Watson on December 24, 1941.  Norman served in the Army Aircorp during WW11 and Jo joined him in several assignments.  After the war, they lived in the Fairview Community until his death in 1987.  After several years, she married Bill Adcock, who passed away shortly after the marriage with a rare form of cancer.  She then married Rev. Dee B. Martin and they were together for 13 years until his death.   She was dedicated to her faith, her family, and the Eastern Star. She will be greatly missed by her family and friends.  Jo survived many traumatic as well as many happy years, but she could not defeat the Covid-19.

The family will receive friends from 1:30 pm - 2:00 pm, Wednesday, September 2, 2020 at Hopewell Baptist Church Cemetery.  A graveside service will be on Wednesday at 2:00 pm at Hopewell Baptist Church Cemetery officiated by Ric Peirce.  Burial will follow at the Hopewell Baptist Church Cemetery at 420 Hopewell Church Rd., Monroe.

Memorials may be made to Hospice & Palliative Care, 7845 Little Ave., Charlotte, NC 28226 or to the Humane Society of Charlotte, 2700 Toomey Ave. Charlotte NC, 28203.

Hartsell Funeral Home of Midland is serving the Martin family.

Online condolences may be made at www.hartsellfh.com