Mr. James Franklin Martin, age 84 of Stuart, passed away Sunday, September 4, 2022, at Baptist Hospital Winston-Salem. He was born on January 11, 1938, in the Gilberts Mill area of Patrick County to the late Roy Franklin Martin and Grace Woodall Martin. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife of 59 years Athajean Terry Martin, sister Betty Lorene Martin, two brothers Johnny Ray Martin and Alvin Akers Martin; and sister-in-law, Charmaine Atkins. Mr. Martin was a member of Mountain View United Methodist Church. “Franklin” was retired after owning and operating Martin’s Body Shop which was established in 1971. His hobbies included being an avid coon hunter, a farmer, a successful gardener, playing rook and poker with family and friends, enjoying his grandchildren, and attending their sports activities. Franklin was an expert sharpshooter and marksman in the Army National Guard and taught his children and grandchildren how to shoot rifles and took them deer hunting. Franklin often had strong opinions on various subjects and was willing to share them with all that would listen.
Surviving is one son and daughter-in-law, Terry and Aleta Martin of Meadows of Dan Virginia, two daughters and sons-in-law‘s, Karen and Thomas Gammons of Kernersville North Carolina, Sharon and Kevin Mitchell of Kernersville North Carolina, four grandchildren Brittany Jean Miller and husband Christopher, Jessica Leigh Hubbard and husband Jonathan, Landon Alan Mitchell, Nathan Franklin Mitchell; two great granddaughters Eliza Jean Miller and Lillian Marie Hubbard and two great grandsons Nolan Taylor Miller and Arlo David Hubbard; three sisters Florence Martin Fulcher (late Junior Fulcher), Dorothy Martin Lawson (J. E. Lawson) and Lois Martin Vandergrift (late Tommy Vandergrift), one sister-in-law, Ann Booth Martin ( late Alvin Martin); one brother-in-law, Anthony Terry (Estelle Terry) and several nieces and nephews.
A funeral service for Mr. Martin will be held on Wednesday, September 7, 2022 at 11:00 a.m. at Mountain View United Methodist Church with his son, Pastor Terry Martin officiating. Military Rites provided by Patrick County Veterans Memorial Honor Guard. Burial will immediately follow in Patrick Memorial Gardens. The family will receive friends Tuesday evening from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at Moody Funeral Home Chapel in Stuart. Flowers will be accepted, or donations may be made to Mountain View United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 156, Meadows of Dan, Virginia 24120. Online condolences may be made by visiting www.moodyfuneralservices.com.
