Helen Rachal Martin

A service to honor the life of Helen Martin will be held on Monday, January, 9, 2023 at 11 AM at Blanchard-St. Denis Funeral Home with Bro. Mike Honzell officiating. Burial will follow at United Baptist Church Cemetery in Campti, LA. The family will receive friends for a visitation on Sunday, January 8, 2022 from 5 PM until 8 PM at Blanchard-St. Denis Funeral Home. Helen Rachal Martin was born on October 12, 1936 in Campti, LA to Joseph Gus Rachal, Sr. and Dona Beebe Rachal. She passed away on January 4, 2023 at the age of 86. Helen is preceded in death by her husband, Wilton Martin; one son, Scott Martin; grandson, Brandon Martin; three brothers, Robert “Bob” Land, Sr., Claude Rachal, and Clyde Rachal; two sisters, Linda Foster and Janice Rachal; and her parents, Joseph Gus, Sr. and Dona Beebe Rachal. Helen is survived by her son, Robert L. Martin of Houston, TX; one brother, Gus Rachal, Jr., and wife Audrey of Keatchie, LA; two sisters, Betty Slayton of Carrier, MS and Elaine Sandel of DeRidder, LA; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, great- and great-great nieces and nephews. She is also survived by two very special people, Rhonda Ross and Sheila Rachal Grappe, who were both like daughters to her. Helen was very independent and worked hard her whole life, from the Town House in Natchitoches to G & L Grocery (later M & M) and other businesses in and around Campti. Throughout her life, she was a caregiver for the young and elderly, often becoming a part of their families. One of the many things that she enjoyed in life was traveling with her sisters. She loved those trips, along with gatherings with her family. She also enjoyed painting. Her family truly benefited from all of her artwork. They also benefited from her quick wit and big personality, her sense of style and always looking very “put together” with her favorite color “Red”. She could keep everyone laughing with all of her stories and they all have stories to tell from having spent time with her. Those honored to serve as pallbearers will be Donna R. Land, Betsy Slayton Ratcliff, Michael Slayton, R. D. Slayton, Shane Risinger, Josh Knotts, Sean Grappe, and Roman Armstrong. The family would like to give a special Thank You to the staff of Courtyard of Natchitoches and Heart of Hospice.