Arbie Della (Moye) Martin, 88 of Harrisburg, Arkansas, departed this life Sunday, April 5, 2026, at the Flo & Phil Jones Hospice House. Arbie was born on December 11, 1937, in Etowah, Arkansas, the daughter of Hershel and Hettie (Morgan) Moye. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Donald Lee Martin, two brothers, Tyrone Moye and Wencil Moye, one sister, Graple Rose, son-in-law, Jim Cramer, and one brother-in-law, Forest Faulkner.
Arbie, after graduating from Vanndale High School, class of 1956, continued her education, receiving a Bachelor of Science Degree in Education from Arkansas State University. Arbie had a very active adult life, teaching grade school in the public school systems, working tirelessly, caring for her daughters, and laboring every summer in her yard and garden.
Don and Arbie later moved to Satartia, Mississippi, where they lived on Dixie Farms. Arbie taught First Grade in the Mississippi public school system, while Don worked from sunup to sundown as Farm Manager for Morrison & Quirk.
A few years later, Arbie and Don moved back to Arkansas, where Arbie completed a 35-year tenure as a 2nd grade educator at Harrisburg Elementary School. Her students adored her, and she was often complimented on how well she taught. Many of her students, now grown, love her for her dedication and firm teaching foundation.
Arbie Martin was a member and President of the Delta Kappa Gamma Teacher’s Honor Society for many years while teaching at Harrisburg Elementary. Promoting professional growth and excellence in education, Arbie gleaned much from this organization so she could give back to her students and the education system.
As a loving and wonderful Mother, Arbie always provided and sacrificed for her 2 daughters. She offered them the opportunities to take dance lessons, ballet, jazz, tap, piano, and baton twirling lessons. When baton twirling became the focus, Arbie began concentrating on costume making for her daughters, since money was short and costumes could be expensive. She chose to understudy an extremely talented seamstress, Mrs. Starnes in Memphis, Tennessee. Arbie learned quickly, and she spent many hours, days, and nights (even until midnight) piecing together fabrics by hand, and sewing beautiful sequences, and rhinestones stitch by stitch until a costume masterpiece was complete.
Arbie was a Christian who loved Jesus, and by using her gifts as a Vacation Bible School teacher, many young children were saved under her ministry in the church. She and her husband, Don, were very active members serving on the First Baptist Youth Committee for many years.
Arbie was a woman of many talents and gifts. She was on the Poinsett County Fair Board for 10 years as director and coordinator of all divisions of the Poinsett County Fair Beauty Pageants.
She hired all the judges, made all the decorations for the pageants, and paid for all the materials herself. Arbie was an avid reader and patron of the Poinsett County Library. One summer in July 2021, she and her daughter Annah developed the “Saddle Up and Read” program for the Poinsett County Library in cooperation with the Drover Cowboy Church in Harrisburg. Children who checked out books in the library and filled out a list of the books they read were eligible to ride a horse provided by Drover Cowboy Church. It was a great success that year.
In 1998, Arbie was one of a few educators who were awarded the Shannon Wright Golden Ruler Award. She was nominated by one of her students and his mother for her excellence and dedication in helping her student overcome the challenges of dyslexia.
Arbie loved to work in her yard. Whether it was planting a garden, planting flowers, mowing, or creating aesthetic projects to enjoy over many years. Her labor never ended in the summer when it came to keeping her yard clean and neat.
She loved Randy and Annah’s dog, BJ Crawford. He was part of the joy in her life. He was always on standby when it came to Grandma. Puppy-doggy her for extra treats under the table; he especially enjoyed sneaking a full plate of biscuits and gravy that Arbie had no problem sharing.
She is survived by her daughter, Annah Martin Crawford, son-in-law, Randy Crawford of Harrisburg, and daughter, Lisa Cramer of Fort Mill, South Carolina. Granddaughters Emily and Hannah Cramer, sister, Arkie (John) Burrus of Jonesboro, Arkansas, and sister, Sandra Faulkner of Batesville, Arkansas. She has many surviving nieces and nephews as well.
Active Pallbearers are: Randy Crawford, Kenn E. Thompson, Steve Whittingham, Don Fahr, Darryl Loggains, Gregg Lovell.
Honorary Pallbearers are: B J Crawford (the wonder dog), Nechia Whittingham, Tina Caplinger Haner, Scott and Rhondine Horton, Gene and Mary Jo Crouch, James and Margaret Wilson, and June Blancato.
Visitation will be Saturday, April 11, 2026, at Jackson’s Funeral Home Chapel from 11:00 A. M. until service time. Funeral Service will begin at Noon in the Chapel. There will be no graveside service and no gathering after the service.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks you to make a donation to the Youth Department at First Baptist Church, 201 West Jackson Street, Harrisburg, Arkansas 72432. Arrangements are by Jackson’s Funeral Home.
