Barbara Nobles Martin was born on September 10, 1976, in Valparaiso, Indiana, and she passed away peacefully on September 5, 2026, in Bradenton, Florida. Barbara was preceded in death by her parents, Morris and Rebecca (Becky) Nobles, and is survived by her loving husband, William Martin; brother, Morrison Agen (Danielle); sister, Debbie Nobles Davis (Doug); several beloved aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews, as well as special family friends, the Beckett family.
Barb was a citizen of the world. She joined the Air Force in 1997 and was stationed in Ramstein, Germany for three years. While there, she traveled and saw much of Europe. One defining experience of her active-duty career was when she traveled to Africa on a humanitarian aid mission as an optometry technician. She was honored to be able to serve.
Barbara returned to the States, met William Martin, who was born and raised in Venezuela, and quickly fell in love with him, his family, and his culture. William and Barb were married on June 10, 2006. They count among their friend's people of every race, religion, and color, from every corner of the world. While she was healthy, they traveled as much as possible and loved learning about other places and people.
While living in Fort Wayne, Indiana, Barbara joined the Air National Guard, and put herself through college, studying Health Care Administration under the GI bill. She served our country through the United States Air Force and Air National Guard for 18 years, rising to the rank of Captain before retiring in February 2016.
Barb loved all kinds of music. She had a beautiful singing voice, like many people in her family, and loved karaoke. She loved live music and going to concerts and also loved to dance the Salsa with her husband, William. Barb and William loved to entertain, and their home was always a popular gathering place for friends and family. She had a gift for making everyone feel welcome.
Barb knew, for over 20 years, that her time on Earth was not likely to be long, and she squeezed a lot of life out of the years of health that she was able to enjoy. She faced her fate bravely, like the soldier she was, and fought for every good memory with her loved ones. She would want us to imagine her, singing and dancing, and waiting for us in the next existence, Duke and Jake, her faithful boxers, by her side, with a plate of arepas and a cold drink.
Visitation will be held on Thursday, September 17, 2026, from 9:30-11:30AM with a service starting at 11:30AM at Brown & Sons Funeral Homes, 26th Street Chapel, 5624 26th Street W., Bradenton, FL. 34207. Following with burial for Captain Martin with full military honors at 1:30PM at Sarasota National Cemetery, 9810 State Road 72 Sarasota, FL. 3424.
In honor of Barb’s memory, the family requests that memorial donations be made to help others with Huntington’s Disease through the Huntington’s Disease Society of America www.hdsa.org.
Brown & Sons Funeral Homes & Crematory, 26th Street Chapel, 5624 26th Street West, Bradenton, Florida, is in charge of arrangements.
