LULA – J.L. Martin, 88, passed away on Thursday, January 3, 2013, at Habersham Medical Center.
He was born on September 5, 1924, in Carnesville, the son of the late J.L. Martin, Sr. and Ethel Henderson Martin. He was preceded in death by his wife, Mary Ruth Smith Martin; and a son, Zachary Martin. Mr. Martin was a United States Army World War II Veteran, having fought in Normandy. He was a retired manager of Shirley Feed and Seed with 40 years of service. J.L. was a Mason and a member of the Lula Lodge #352 F. & A.M. and was a Shriner. He was a member of Belton Baptist Church.
Survivors include daughters and sons-in-law, Judy and Gene Harkins, Clermont, Donna and Daniel Carpenter, Lula, and Shelba and Glenn Bennett, Mt. Airy; daughter, Pat Horne, Gainesville; son and daughter-in-law, Mike and Susan Martin, Clarkesville; sister, Uree Sears, Anderson, S.C.; brother, Clayton Martin; 14 grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren.
Memorial services will be held at 2 p.m. on Sunday, January 6, at Belton Baptist Church, with the Revs. Robert Nix and Mike Martin officiating. Interment will follow in the church cemetery with full military honors provided by the Georgia National Guard, the Habersham County American Legion Post #84, the Rabun County DAV Chapter #15, and the Grant Reeves VFW Post #7720.
The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. on Saturday, January 5, at Whitfield Funeral Home, South Chapel, Baldwin.
Flowers are accepted or donations may be made to the American Cancer Society, 1684 Barnett Shoals Rd., Athens, GA 30605-3007.
Those wishing to express online condolences to the Martin family may do so by visiting www.whitfieldfuneralhomes.com.
Arrangements are in the care of Whitfield Funeral Home, South Chapel, Baldwin.