Mrs. Eddice Blackshear Martin, 91, of 801 Rankin Street, passed away, Friday, December 12, 2008 at Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center. She was born July 18, 1917 to Frank and Laura Clark Blackshear in Abbeville, Georgia. She was educated in the public schools of Atlanta, Georgia and received her nursing degree from Grady Hospital Nursing School in Atlanta.

Mrs. Martin was a dedicated Registered Nurse for 55 years, having worked at Kate Bitting Hospital, Moses Cone, Hospital, and Charter Hospital of Winston-Salem. After retiring, she did a great deal of volunteering, including with Mental Health Association and Forsyth Memorial Hospital Patient Information.

She was predeceased by her husband of 55 years, Charles T. Martin.

Surviving are her devoted daughter, Eddice Charlette Barksdale of the home; devoted grandsons, Tobe Z. Barksdale, II (Linda) of Bolton, MA and Martin "Kaz" Barksdale of the home; five sisters and one brother, two great grandchildren, and many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Funeral services will be held at 2 pm Wednesday, December 17, 2008 at St. Benedict The Moor Catholic Church, with Father Larry Heiney officiating. Interment will follow in Piedmont Memorial gardens. Family visitation will be held from 6 pm until 7 pm Tuesday, December 16, 2008 at the Russell Funeral Home.