Allie Jerry Martin

SHELBY- Allie Jerry Martin, born on July 23, 1948, in Cleveland County, NC, decided to take his final bow on February 18, 2025, at the age of 76, right where it all began. Known for his quick wit and even quicker ability to fix anything, Jerry was the kind of guy who could make a toaster sing and a computer dance.

As an electrician for Cleveland County Schools, he spent his days ensuring that the lights stayed on and the wires behaved themselves. But it was his evenings tinkering with electronics and computers that truly lit him up. If it had a wire, he could work wonders with it. He often joked that he was "the smartest man in the room," and while some might have rolled their eyes, they knew he wasn't entirely wrong.

Preceded in death by his parents, Allie Martin Jr. and Alice Hayes Martin, Allie leaves behind a family who will forever cherish his humor and knack for fixing both gadgets and spirits. His son, Donnie Martin, and daughter, Lisa Kale, along with her husband Jonathan, will miss his jokes and sage advice. His sister, Faye Craft, and her husband Phil, will fondly remember his antics, while grandsons Cody Kale (with wife Taylor) and Dylan Kale will carry on his legacy of mischief and mastery over machines. His ex-wife and caregiver, Anne Martin, and nephew, Chris Craft, will always remember him as the man who could make any room brighter with his presence—or at least with a well-placed light bulb.

Though Jerry has left this earthly realm, his spirit will continue to flicker in every electrical socket and computer screen he ever touched. Rest easy, Jerry, knowing you were indeed the smartest man in the room—and probably the funniest too. Jerry was a simple man, so per his wishes services are private to the family. Aquamation services are entrusted to Clay-Barnette Funeral Home & Aquamation Center www.claybarnette.com