John Martin

John B. Martin, 93, of Shelby, NC died peacefully Christmas morning.
Born in Blacksburg, South Carolina on April 3rd, 1924, John was one of seven children born to Lyman and Eula (Wylie) Martin. He was a 1941 graduate of Blacksburg High School and served in the Air Force during World War II. After the war, he took degrees in Education (BA ’50) and Biology (MS ‘54) at Appalachian State University. He married Sudie Belle Clark of Pageland, SC on September 8th, 1957 in Charlotte, NC. An educator, entrepreneur, and businessman, he taught at Cleveland Community College for 21 years, retiring in the 1990’s to devote himself to community and charitable activities. He served in many capacities for various organizations, including as a board member for Cleveland Vocational Industries for over 10 years.
He was preceded in death by all of his siblings and his wife Sudie, who died in 1999. He is survived by two sons and five grandchildren; Tom and Jill (Hamrick) Martin with sons Christopher, Patrick and Kelvin of Shelby NC, and John and Tracy (Berry) Martin with daughter Rachel and son David of Newton, MA. He is also survived by two nieces, LaDonna Martin of Shelby, NC and Jana Ernst of Glen Allen, VA.
A Memorial Service will be held at 2:00pm, Sunday, January 7, 2018, in the Webb Chapel at First Baptist Church. The family will receive friends following the service in the Ladies Parlor of the church.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the John B. Martin Memorial Fund, CVI, 650 N Post Rd, Shelby, NC 28150.
Memorial Service arrangements are being provided by Clay-Barnette Funeral Home of Shelby.