Franklin D. Martin, 77, of Mystic, Georgia, died Friday, September 6, 2013, at South Georgia Medical Center in Valdosta.
Funeral services will be held at 4 PM, Sunday, September 8, 2013, at Big Creek Baptist Church, Irwin County, with the Rev. Wayne McCrimmon and the Rev. Randall Gay officiating. Interment will follow in the church cemetery. The family will receive friends from 6-8 Saturday evening at Paulk Funeral Home in Ocilla.
Mr. Martin was born June 14, 1936, in Tifton, to the late Bailey Thomas & Annie Lou Whitley Martin. He attended school in Tift County. He was a carpenter and building contractor and lived in the Mystic community for more than 50 years. He was a former member of the Lion's Club and a member of the Irwin County Board of Assessors. Mr. Martin loved to fish and enjoyed keeping track of his family’s travels. He enjoyed watching the Atlanta Braves and the Georgia Bulldogs as well as his grandchildren’s sports. He was an avid gardener growing flowers and vegetables. He was a member and former deacon of Big Creek Baptist Church and often attended Mystic Baptist Church.
Mr. Martin is survived by his wife of almost 59 years: Monteen Eldridge Martin of Mystic; three daughters: Kathy & Johnny Veazey of Tifton, Sandy & James Sparks of Aiken, South Carolina, and Linda & Carl McKenney of Ocilla; one son: David & Lisa Martin of Irwinville; seven grandchildren: T.J. Rigdon & Tina Moore, Anna Brett & Chris Daniel, Sara Sparks, Tara Rigdon, Charity Martin, Hope Martin, and Jonathan Martin; four great-grandchildren: Cadence Rigdon, Hunter Moore, Tess Veazey, and Marlee Veazey; two sisters: Betty Davis and Charlotte & Donnie Cooper; one brother: Dr. Kenny & Barbara Martin; and multiple nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by one brother: B.T. Martin, Jr.
The family suggests that those desiring to send memorials do so in Mr. Martin’s memory to the charity of the donor's choice.