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meetings and events such as SEJ Student Movement, Mississippi Conference Jubilee, SEJ Harambee, General Commission on Religion and Race, BMCR, Yes-2 Conference, Family Reunions, Weddings and the list goes on. Under her stewardship the operating budget grew from $85,000 in 1989 to $517,000 earning her The Outstanding Citizen Award from the Hancock County Chamber of Commerce in 2004. This award normally salutes Businesses and Industries only but it served as a testimony to her leadership and dedication. Marian was a Visionary. She wanted today's youth to experience life, thus forming the Mission Education Travel Study Seminar that took High School Students to Colleges, Universities and United Methodist related sites throughout the Southeastern United States. Many youth that came through this program have gone on to finish High School, attend and graduate from College. Today, they are Doctors, Architects, Teachers, Nurses, Pharmacists, Professors, Biologists, Company Supervisors, Theater and the Arts, Marine Sciences, Political Activists, Church Leaders, Community Center Volunteers, Youth Volunteers and the list goes on. Finally, her vision to move Gulfside to the next level along zvith the Board of Directors and the dedicated supporters of Gulfside was realized when Gulfside broke ground in 2004 with the new Alfred L. Norris Conference Center. A Dedication Ceremony of the new 2.8 million dollar facility was held August 13, 2005. Marian insisted on this date not knowing the Forces of Nature with Hurricane Katrina would happen two weeks later. Marian stated, "When God put something in your Spirit, you got to be obedient. Just think; those who struggled to make August 13 a reality, would never have had the opportunity to see the new structure if the dedication had been delayed until a later time. But just like the Legend of the Dragon Fly: Gulfside will return." Marian T.
Martin spent her entire life unselfishly and untiringly in service to God, her husband, family, friends, church, community and to this special place we call