Earnestine Juanita Martin

Earnestine Juanita “Tina” Dolphus Martin Earnestine Juanita “Tina” Dolphus Martin was born August 14, 1940, to the late Frank Dolphus, Sr., and late Earnestine Marie Goode Dolphus. She surrendered her life to Christ at an early age, joining the congregation of worshippers of Jesus Christ that met at Steele’s Memorial Baptist Church in Little Rock, Arkansas. Until her declining health, Tina was an active member of Taylor Memorial United Methodist Church in Oakland, California. She was also a proud member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority. Tina Martin was a member of the first graduating class (the class of 1956) of Horace Mann High School, a segregated senior high school built in Little Rock, Arkansas, in the mid-fifties, just prior to the 1957 Little Rock Public Schools integration crises. Tina’s educational pursuits earned her Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees in education from the University of Denver, Denver, Colorado. She devoted three years to the service of our country in the United States Air Force. In the summer of 1967, Tina was united in holy matrimony to the late Morris Martin of Denver, Colorado. The couple transitioned to Oakland, California, in the early 70’s, at which time Tina, began her career with the Oakland Unified Public School District as a speech therapist. Tina Martin retired from the Oakland Unified Public School District, having contributed as an educator and administrator, following a 30-year commitment toward the academic development of children in public schools. Tina’s notable passion for education and her leadership abilities garnered her greater opportunities to influence public education in her roles as an officer of United Administrators of Oakland Schools and a board member of the State Association of California School Administrators. Her thoughtful, caring, and helpful demeanor attracted the friendship and sisterhood of many acquaintances, coworkers, and students in the District. Tina Martin, who transitioned this life on March 18, 2021, is preceded in death by her parents, Mr. & Mrs. Frank Dolphus, Sr., and a brother, Frank Dolphus, Jr. She leaves to mourn her transition her sisters, Dr. M. Jeanne Cotton, Charlotte,  North Carolina, Dr. M. Dee Bennett, and Pat Williams, Little Rock, Arkansas; a host of nieces and nephews, and grand and great grand nieces and nephews, and a great number of other relatives and friends.

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