B.T. Martin, 75, of Irwinville, died Tuesday, October 27, 2009 at his residence.
Funeral services will be held 11 A.M. Thursday, October 29, at Big Creek Missionary Baptist Church, Irwin County with Bro. Garland Odom, Bro. Randy Gay, Bro. Ed Reeves, and Bro. Wayne McCrimmon officiating. Chrissie Martin will give the eulogy. The body will lie in-state one hour prior to the service at the church. Interment will follow in the church cemetery with military honors. The family will receive friends from 6-8 Wednesday evening at the funeral home in Fitzgerald.
Mr. Martin was born April 6, 1934 in Irwin County to the late Bailey Thomas and Annie Whitley Martin. He graduated from Tift County High school in 1952, where he played football and he attended Georgia State University in Atlanta. Mr. Martin was a self-employed contractor and a former Bailiff for the Irwin County Court system. He was a veteran of the United States Navy during the Korean War era, serving aboard the USS Valley Forge. Mr. Martin was a member of the Ocilla Masonic Lodge and was a member of the Hasan Shrine in Albany. He was a member, former music director and former deacon at Big Creek Missionary Baptist Church.
He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Ann T. Martin of Irwinville; sons and daughters-in-law, Randy & Terri Martin of Ocilla, Mike & Debra Martin of Hahira and Jody & Lisa Martin of Irwinville; 7 grandchildren, Jake, Wade, Michael, Chrissie, Cheyenne, Jessica Martin and Candice (Mitch) Brevard; 2 great grandchildren, Skylar and Maddox Brevard; sisters, Betty Jean Davis of Tifton and Charlotte (Donnie) Cooper of Tifton; brothers, Frank (Monteen) Martin of Mystic and Ken (Barbara) Martin of Hiram as well as several nieces and nephews.
The family suggests those desiring to send memorials in lieu of flowers, may send them to Blue-Gray Community Hospice, P.O. Box 1447, Fitzgerald, GA 31750, Ben Hill-Irwin Gideons, P.O. Box 752, Fitzgerald, GA 31750 or to Irwin County Relay For Life c/o Mona Paulk, 207 W. 2nd St., Ocilla, GA 31774.