Nadia Sade Martin Obituary (2021)

Nadia Sade' Martin was born to Bennetta Evans and Donnell Draggs on August 6, 1988, in Centerville, Illinois. She was the youngest of two children. Nadia was preceded in death by her grandmother, Bessie Arrington, two uncles, Emmett and James (Gail) Arrington; and a cousin, Stephanie Danise Stidmon. Nadia was a high school graduate of Normandy Senior High in St. Louis, Missouri. During her high school training, Nadia was very active in Theater. She performed in several drama plays that were held at the high school. After graduating from high school, Nadia attended North Eastern A&M College in Miami, Oklahoma, and received her Associate degree in Performing Arts in 2008. While attending A&M College, Nadia won an award for Best Actress and Singer for the play "Bestie." At the end of the play, she received a standing ovation from the audience. Nadia also received her bachelor's degree in Social Work at the Northeastern State University of Oklahoma with Cum Laude Honor in 2010. However, Nadia didn't stop until she received her master's degree in Social Work at the University of Oklahoma in 2011. In her short life span, Nadia achieved her educational, career, and family goals with the blessings of her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Nadia met the love of her life, Stephen Martin in 2006 at North Eastern A&M College, and they married on January 26, 2008, in Miami, Oklahoma. To this union, four children were born. Nadia loved her family dearly. However, nothing came before her children and her one only true love Stephen Martin. Nadia was a faithful and dedicated employee of Park Royal Health and Behavior Hospital in Fort Meyers, Florida, as a clinical therapist until her health failed. Nadia placed her faith and trust in Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior before she went off to college under the Leadership of Pastor Jeffrey Forrest of Blessed Hope Bible Church in St. Louis, Missouri. Nadia loved singing in the choir and attending church services. One of Nadia's favorite gospel songs to sing was "Encourage Yourself in The Lord" by Yolanda Adams. As a child, Nadia was raised and trained in the fear and admonition of the Lord by her mother. Nadia had a very pleasant, friendly, and loving personality. She had a smile that would light up any room she entered. Nadia went home to be with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Thursday, December 16, 2021, at Gulf Coast Hospital in Fort Meyer, Florida. Nadia leaves to cherish her memory a devoted husband, Stephen Martin; four children, Zyarieal, Zion, Zephaniah, and Zora of Leigh High Acres, Florida; her loving mother, Bennetta Evans of St. Louis, Mo.; and father, Donnell ( Cozetta - stepmother) Draggs, Sr. of Little Rock, Arkansas; her mother-in-law, Pamela Martin of Miami, Florida; her sister, Sophia Wilkerson of St. Louis, Mo.; two brothers, Donta and Donnell Draggs, Jr. of Little Rock, Arkansas; a special uncle and aunt, Marlon and Anna "Antiebaby" States of St. Louis, Mo.; two special friends, Nakeisha Williams of St. Louis and Taleshea Johnson of Tulsa Oklahoma; and a host of aunts, uncles, nieces, nephew, cousins, in-laws (The Martin Family) and other friends