In the News

Possum Trot community honored on house floor by Congressman Moran
KETK
November 27, 2024
By Dan Jovic

East Texas Congressman Nathaniel Moran introduces a resolution honoring the Possum Trot community and their acts of kindness which shaped a generation.

The community received national attention this summer with the release of the movie, ‘Sound of Hope: The Story of Possum Trot.’

It was inspired by the acts of Reverend WC Martin and his wife Donna three decades ago.

The couple had two children and adopted four more, all while encouraging families in their church to do the same.

Before long, 22 Families had adopted 77 children across East Texas.

“This story has been retold in the recent film The Story of Possum Trot. Which is a story of inspiration for all of us to give more, to love more, to do more for those around us,” said Rep. Moran. “Thank you, Reverend and First Lady Martin, for living out your faith and for changing the destinies of so many young people’s lives. You are remarkable."

During Moran’s speech on the house floor, he said Donna Martin had special inspiration for wanting to adopt.

“Mrs. Martin was inspired to adopt after the death of her beloved mother, Murtha, who had raised eighteen children,” said Moran. “She stated, ‘And the Holy Spirit said, “Think about those other children out there that do not have what you had with your mother.” I was overcome with such warmness. I walked back into the house, picked up the Yellow Pages and called an adoption agency.’ That’s how it began. It concluded with 77 children finding loving homes in a community that simply decided that they would do what they could and give all that they had for the benefit of the most vulnerable and needy among them.”

According to the Martins, most adopted children have grown to become thriving adults.

Read the story from KETK here.