Ethel Lou Martin

Ethel Lou (Halter) Martin of Santa Barbara, 1930-2026 Ethel Martin, age 96, joined her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on July 23, 2026. She joyously transcended straight up, whizzing by the harps and into the ukulele musical section of heaven directly from her bed in her home, with tender loving care, exactly as she wished. Ethel was born in Avery, Oklahoma, in 1930 to Jim and Mabel Halter. She was preceded in death by her husband Vernon Martin; sister Arceil Martin; brothers Bill and Ben Halter; and nephews Jim Martin and Mike Halter. Ethel enjoyed her childhood years growing up on the family farm in Kendrick, Oklahoma, riding her horse and playing with her dog Shep. She always loved farm and domesticated animals and especially her final dog Sug. Her family later moved to Wichita, Kansas, where she graduated from high school and business school. Ethel especially loved music as the entire Halter family were musically gifted and often performing. She also became a popular dance instructor at Arthur Murray’s and sang with a local orchestra. In 1959 she joined her sister Arceil, her husband Vernon and their teenagers Joye and Jim Martin to relocate to Santa Barbara. She worked at Santa Barbara Research Center during their years of cutting-edge space exploration in preparation for the moon landing. In the mid 1960s she married Buck Rogers and moved to their cattle ranch next to Sequoia National Park. She enjoyed her years branding cattle, playing the guitar, singing Joan Baez songs, and frequently horseback riding through the mountains. In 1980 she moved to Sedona to care for her sister Arceil who was ill. Due to the beauty and healing climate, the Martin family bought a house on the golf course overlooking “Bell Rock,” and she quickly became one of the best golfers at the club. Ethel began painting the red rocks in oil and became an accomplished photographer. In 1981, after her sister died, Ethel moved back to Santa Barbara and later married Vernon Martin, and together they had 21 loving, happy and fun years together. They frequently piloted their twin engine plane throughout the United States, as well as international destinations in Mexico, throughout the Caribbean and Central America.Ethel got her pilot’s license in 1986 and became part of the infamous women pilots the “99’s.” They often piloted medical doctors volunteering to perform eye surgeries with SEE International to third world countries. Vernon was previously a judge in Oklahoma and later became a prominent Santa Barbara attorney and partner with Mullin and Henzell. After retiring, he and Ethel (as his super power fast typing paralegal) opened an office, and together they maintained his busy private law practice in the Carrillo Professional Building until he died in 2001. During these years Ethel also became a golf champion at La Cumbre Country Club winning many trophy’s and celebrating holes in one. She was also a terrific bridge player with cards flying across the tables making grand slams. In the year 2000 she joined the Community Friends of Santa Barbara (formerly Assistance League), where she created the Ukulele Lulus, a group of some 25 ladies who sing and play ukuleles throughout Santa Barbara for audiences at multiple retirement homes, schools, churches, Fiesta, hospitals, and the Music Academy of the West. No one will ever forget Ethel’s wild Elvis impersonations singing with her guitar in black wig, gold sunglasses, white suit and long scarf she would dramatically throw out into the audience. She continued doing this even in her 90s. In 2009 Ethel was honored and delighted to be awarded the league’s distinguished ADA Award’s Circle of Honor. Ethel maintained a busy life with her niece Joye and the Lytel Family, cruising together more than 15 years throughout the world while dancing and strumming in over 45 countries. Ethel packed the smallest bag but always had the most outfits. The family enjoyed spending the holidays together in Maui, where Ethel busily wrote Hawaiian songs to teach the Lulus when she returned home. However, of all the places she visited she was the happiest entertaining her family, friends and Lulus in her home in Rancho del Ciervo, overlooking the mountains, ocean and islands. She recently commented, “This beauty will be here long after I am gone. But don’t forget to feed my birds and enjoy the sunsets.” Her favorite times were when the Lulus were all gathered in her garage playing and singing together. Her garage hosted more parties than all our houses put together. Ethel was still performing, singing, and playing her ukulele in early July. Ethel, a.k.a. Grandma Sug, is survived by her loving family – niece and stepdaughter Joye Lytel (Roger); son Kipley Lytel (Diana) and children London and Hudson; niece Lora Halter Laird (Gary) and daughters Cassie and Jillian and family; nephew Mark Halter (Jamie) and family. She is also survived by her Oklahoma family: nephew Richard Halter and family, Ginger Halter Warehime and family, and Sherry Halter Herman and family; and her many Lulus and friends. Friends are invited to attend Ethel Martin’s funeral, 10 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 15 at The Free Methodist Church, 1435 Cliff Drive, Santa Barbara. Following the service is a luncheon at a location to be announced at the church. Private Interment will occur be on Monday, Aug. 17 at Santa Barbara Cemetery. The family wishes to express their gratitude to Pastor Colleen; Josie Pugh, RN; Cathy Straits, MD; and Elizabeth, Linda Prince, her many doctors, caregivers Hector and Patricia Guzman, Hospice RNs Ditte Noack and Cris Wood; and Ethel’s many friends including Mike and Barbara Wapner, Mary Jane Cooper and the Lulus, all of whom came to spend time with Ethel before she traveled home following the music of the spheres into God’s welcoming arms. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Ethel Martin’s name, payable to any of the following groups: The Ukulele Lulus c/o The Community Friends of Santa Barbara, 1259 Veronica Springs Road, Santa Barbara, CA 93105. Storyteller Children’s Center, 2115 State St., Santa Barbara, CA 93105. CADA, 232 E. Canon Perdido St., Santa Barbara, CA 93101 VNA Health Hospice, 512 Gutierrez St., Santa Barbara, CA 93103.

Ethel Lou Martin

May 15, 1930 - July 23, 2026