Page 23 - South Mississippi Living - November, 2020

Charles at the 40th Anniversary in 1985.
Christmas family photo.
what would become a 75-year family tradition where everyone graciously and enthusiastically gave of their time and talents to make this budding ower shop an immense success.
Throughout the years and at any given time, members of the Martin family could be found at the shop making bows, wrapping gifts, cutting owers, sweeping oors, watching babies. There was never a task too big or too small. The Martin children began working in the shop at early ages, handwriting bills, producing bouquets or making deliveries. As they grew older, their friends and signi cant others could be found in the shop helping with whatever was needed. Holidays were a time for everyone to come together not only to rejoice and celebrate, but also to work. Joanne recalls the back room of the family home covered in play pens while parents would feverishly work on orders in the shop. Like the owers to which they tended, the notion and appreciation of family continued to grow.
As Joe, Sr. and Rose grew older, the Martin children continued to be more involved with the shop’s daily operations. Having recently celebrated her 64th wedding anniversary to Walker Foster, Joanne reminisces on her Lily of the Valley bridal bouquet which her mother hand selected and arranged. “Everything was simply wonderful,” recalled Joanne. “Everyone helped make our wedding a special day.” It seems only natural that the Martin family carried on this sentiment and applied it to each and every ower
they would send out into the community. In addition to Joanne and Walker, Joe,
Sr. and Rose’s fourth child, Charles, played an active and lively role within the Pugh’s history. Charles was charismatic and lovable, and he had a fondness for red roses. His smile was infectious, and he never met a stranger. Charles passed away in 1988, but his legacy and love for Pugh’s is carried on through his widow, Jeanie Martin Maxwell. Jeanie’s fond memories of working at the shop after teaching school and being a part of such a loving family have helped shaped the person she is today. “They all had such an incredible bond. It was truly magical. You knew you were a part of something special.”
Over time, Joe, Sr. and Rose’s sixth child, Jim Martin and his wife, Rita, became the key shop principals. Having both worked in the shop for well over 50 and 40 years respectively, Jim and Rita have managed Pugh’s for over twenty- ve years, experiencing and enduring all the triumphs and tribulations that come with owning and operating a small business. Rita has enjoyed the behind the scenes nature of designing arrangements, while professing that “every day you get to make something beautiful.” Jim values the numerous rewards that the ower shop has a orded him and the time that it has allowed for his family. Although he prefers yellow to red, he shares his love of roses with his late brother, Charles. Employed at Pugh’s for over twenty years, David Dudeck
has
been directly in uenced by the leadership and guidance he has received from Jim and Rita. “They’ve taught me everything I know,” recalls David. “Jim and Rita’s direction and leadership have helped
me grow as a oral designer and truly appreciate the entire business.”
Today, Pugh’s is bigger and better than ever before. The shop has expanded
in size and in recent years has added
an incredible selection of gifts and keepsakes to its growing list of skills
and capacities. All six surviving Martin children, Joanne, Roselyn, Marilyn, Joe, Jr., Jim and Maureen, along with their spouses, Jeanie Martin Maxwell, and countless immediate and extended family members actively support and foster the growth of the shop each day. The Martin family has a true love for and dedication to their community and this is evident in the way they care for and love each and every arrangement that they construct. “We get to experience an entire life with our customers,” reveals Joanne. “From birth to death and all of the beautiful memories in between, we are there with our owers.” Rooted in faith and grown with love, this American Beauty Rose
has shown that it can truly withstand the test of time. It is this oral “alpha and omega” that truly captures the beauty of Pugh’s, their owers and their family.
Pugh’s Floral Shop, Inc.
3902 Market Street, Pascagoula 228.762.4411
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Mon, Tues, Thurs and Fri, 8 a.m.-5 p.m., Wed and Sat, 8 a.m.-12 p.m.
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