Bill Text: MS SR17 | 2011 | Regular Session | Engrossed
Bill Title: Mourn the loss of Jobie Martin, Jackson television personality and civic leader.
Spectrum: Moderate Partisan Bill (Democrat 9-2)
Status: (Engrossed - Dead) 2011-04-04 - Immediate Release [SR17 Detail]
Download: Mississippi-2011-SR17-Engrossed.html
MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2011 Regular Session
To: Rules
By: Senator(s) Horhn, Harden, Blount, Burton, Butler (38th), Dearing, Fillingane, Frazier, Jackson (11th), Jackson (32nd), Simmons
Senate Resolution 17
(As Adopted by Senate)
A RESOLUTION MOURNING THE LOSS OF JACKSON TELEVISION PERSONALITY AND CIVIC LEADER JOBIE L. MARTIN.
WHEREAS, popular Jackson radio-television personality and civic leader Jobie L. Martin (93) tragically died in a traffic accident on March 26, 2011; and
WHEREAS, Jobie Martin hosted a TV variety program titled "The Jobie Martin Show," which aired on WLBT and WAPT in the 1970s. Known as the "Loud Mouth of the South," Martin was the first African-American in Mississippi to host a commercial TV show; and
WHEREAS, "We lost a real personality," said Dan Modisett, Vice President and General Manager of WLBT and a Jackson native who remembers watching "The Jobie Martin Show" growing up. "He was a true local celebrity." The show featured plenty of local musical acts, and it was live TV, not videotaped; it was classic TV; and
WHEREAS, born in Hattiesburg on July 16, 1919, Martin grew up in Gulfport. After moving to Chicago, he was drafted into the Army during World War II. When he was discharged, he used his training at the nearby Worsham College of Mortuary Science to land a job as an Assistant Pathologist. Coming home to help family, he worked as an airport porter, but his smooth voice drew the attention of his superiors, who had him announcing the airport's flights over a loudspeaker; and
WHEREAS, he was assigned to sell ads to African-American businessmen. He did so well, he was hired for the same work at Jackson's WOKJ and, soon, at a radio station in Memphis, Tennessee; and
WHEREAS, at the urging of his wife, Dorothy, Jobie enrolled in Jackson State College and earned his undergraduate degree. He also played on the Jackson State College Football Team earning the nickname "The Flash"; and
WHEREAS, Jobie taught school for ten years at Westside Elementary School where he taught Special Education and rehabilitation; and
WHEREAS, he opened two restaurants in Jackson, Valerie's and Jobie's Restaurant. He also hosted the Jobie Martin Show, becoming the first African-American to have a commercial paid television show in Mississippi. Jobie served on the Hinds Community College Board for the past 20 years; and
WHEREAS, his civic awards include Jackson State University Alumni Association Hall of Fame, Jackson State University's Sports Hall of Fame, Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity Inc., Mu Sigma Chapter, L.T. Smith Lifetime Achievement Award, Living Legend, and Mississippi's 2007 Outstanding Older Worker, just to name a few. He was most proud of his work after retirement as a substitute teacher for the Jackson Public Schools where he continued to be a drum major for a whole new generation of students; and
WHEREAS, Jobie leaves to cherish his memory: three children; Jobie Martin, Jr. (Tina); LeMoyne F. Martin (Loraine) and Valerie M. Davis (Dexter); four grandchildren; Mark, Taylor, Desmond and Symone; and a host of nieces and nephews; and
WHEREAS, it is with sadness that we note the passing of this respected Jackson personality:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby mourn the loss of Jackson television personality and civic leader Jobie L. Martin.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to the family of Jobie Martin and made available to the Capitol Press Corps.
