Sept. 12, 1930-Jan. 31, 2022
Guinevere “Gwen” Martin Dietrich entered the gates of Heaven Jan. 31, 2022. Her body was laid to rest in Fern Park Cemetery Feb. 3. She was born Sept. 12, 1930, to Benjamin Martin and Kizzie Whatley Martin.
Her life began humbly in the rural community of Mora, the sixth of nine children, her parents’ first girl. She was a bright and beautiful child that learned to sew, play the piano and garden. Witnessing her older brothers go off to war and growing up during the Great Depression molded her into the woman she was.
Gwen attended Kisatchie High School and graduated from Northwestern State College of Louisiana to become an English teacher. She taught class in Springhill until her marriage to Melvin Dietrich May 31, 1952.
Together Melvin and Gwen operated a marina on Sibley Lake, the Fountain Blue restaurant, a poultry farm, cattle ranch and Dietrich’s Slaughter House. Gwen supported Melvin in all of his ventures while raising their three children. He once described her as the wind beneath his wings.
In their retirement years, the couple enjoyed traveling in their motorhome across the United States and they summered in Mexico. The pair was inseparable until Melvin’s premature death in 1999.
The only thing Gwen loved more than her family was her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. She devoted a portion of every day to Bible study and prayer. She was a member of several churches in her life. Melvin and Gwen donated land and buildings for the establishment of houses of worship in Natchitoches. Gwen generously gave to support missions around the world to spread the good news of salvation.
Gwen was a loving and dutiful wife, mother and Maw Maw.
Her life was one of service to those she loved, and her door was always open. She was a great listener, a shoulder to lean on, and had a good sense of humor. She was a skilled cook, and would always be sure to make your favorite dish. She never forgot to send your birthday card, and always made sure you had enough to eat. She read every newspaper from front to back, never missed the evening news and loved chocolate.
Those that love her know without a doubt that she is in Heaven surrounded by her family and reunited with the love of her life, but until we see her again we will live with a tremendous void in our hearts and lives.
She is preceded in death by her parents, Benjamin and Kizzie; husband, Melvin; and brothers, Leroy Martin, James Martin, Gurvis Martin, Euiel Martin, Leighman Martin and Ronald Martin; and sister, Imogene Morgan.
She is survived by her sister, Katherine Sims (John); her children, Karen Dietrich, Roger Dietrich and Denise Hawkins; grandchildren, Amber Miller, Jessica Hawkins, Margie Dietrich, Misty Miller, Joey Dietrich and Chastity McCrory; and 15 great-grandchildren.
Philippians 1:21 For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.