Anita Nanette Martin

Anita Nanette Martin born in Tallahassee, FL, passed away at home unexpectedly in Jacksonville, FL, on Sunday, November 16, 2025, at the young age of 65.

She is survived by her daughters Brandi and Jamison Lauria and her mother, Carolyn Pope Martin. She is also survived by her three siblings, Deedria Martin Burchfield, Lydia Martin Jackson and Eric Martin, and her dear and close friend Valerie Pendell. She will be greatly missed and remembered with love by her family, friends and her beloved dog and cat, Dragon and Baghera.

She was predeceased by her father, John Lester Martin, and her most beloved Grandparents, Ethel Newton Pope and JB Pope. She is also predeceased by her cherished pets, Borus, Bambi and Balu.

Anita, who worked at the Jacksonville Zoo and Botanical Gardens, was an accountant by trade, but she was so much more than the numbers and spreadsheets that she loved. She loved animals and was devoted to her pets. She was philosophical, artistic, sharp-witted, extremely bright and always strove to be fair. We laughed many times and said that she was an introvert who liked to think she was an extrovert. Anita will be deeply missed by her daughter and best friend, Brandi. To Brandi, Anita was perfect.

Anita loved her music, her books and her puzzles. She loved the earth and was devoted to the health of the planet – but her heart was in the ethereal. She believed that unicorns and fairies really existed and that fireflies were magical.

Anita’s favorite things were coffee in the morning, red wine at night and a day of nothing and everything in between. All taking place on her back porch in the company of her daughter.

"Love. You can learn all the math in the 'Verse, but you take a boat in the air that you don't love, she'll shake you off just as sure as the turning of the worlds. Love keeps her in the air when she oughta fall down... tells you she's hurting 'fore she keens. Makes her a home." 

– Captain Malcolm Reynolds, Firefly.