Elder Richard Hilton Martin, 85 was born to William Gentry and Flora Pearl Hilton Martin on May 5, 1924 in Lawsonville, NC. He departed from this life on Monday morning, October 12, 2009 after an extended period of illness.
Elder Martin retired from Embarq, Inc. (formerly Sprint) in 1984. Elder Martin's true commitment, however, was to his family and to the Sandy Ridge Primitive Baptist Church Association, where he was called to the ministry at the age of 21. Throughout his adult life, he was devoted to serving his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, and his church members. For more than 55 years, he served as moderator of the Sandy Ridge Primitive Baptist Church Association, and for more than 50 years, he served as Pastor of Fall Creek Primitive Baptist Church in Axton, VA, Little Richmond Primitive Baptist Church in Elkin, NC, and Martinsview Primitive Baptist Church in Roanoke, VA. He travelled to many different Primitive Baptist Associations representing the Sandy Ridge Association throughout the southeastern part of the United States. He was truly a family man and a man of faith.
Elder Martin was preceded in death by his wife of 61 years, Glinner Jamison Martin; his parents; sisters, Irene Green, Lola Bell Lowe, Ola Mae Foote, Wilma Summers, and Vernice Chambers; and brothers, Aubrey Martin, Burnis Martin, Frank Martin, Orell Martin and Ralph Martin.
He is survived by their three children, Earl H. Martin, Lessie M. Hatton of Winston-Salem, NC and Harold L. (Davida) Martin, Sr. of Kernersville, NC; six grandchildren, Lya S. Hatton of Johnston, IA, Jamel N. (Brittany) Hatton of Winston-Salem, NC, Harold L. Martin, Jr. of Atlanta, GA, Walter G. Martin of Kernersville, NC, Erica R. Martin of Houston, TX, and Kimberly M. Martin of Hemet, CA; a great-grandchild, Sean Christopher Hatton; two step-grandchildren, London McKinley and Clifton Black; five step-great-grandchildren; two sisters, Essie M. Linville of Winston-Salem, NC and Patricia A. Martin of Winston-Salem, NC; six sisters-in-law, Patricia M. Martin, Clara F. Martin, Mary B. Martin, Ollie Jamison, Joanna Jamison, and Janie J. (William) Jones; three brothers-in-law, William (Myrtle) Jamison, Harry Jamison, and Fletcher Penn; and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends; special friends include: Elder Leon (Christine) Gravely, Roy (Lois) Martin, Ben Perkins, and Pamela (Edward) Washington.
Funeral services will be held at 11am Saturday, October 17, 2009 from the Moral Hill Missionary Baptist Church with Elder Thurman O. Echols officiating and Elder Leon Gravely eulogist. Interment will follow in the Jamison Family Cemetery in Axton, VA. The family visitation will be held from 6pm until 8pm Friday, October 16, 2009 from the Russell Funeral Home Chapel.
In lieu of flower the family requests that donations be made to: The Sandy Ridge Primitive Baptist Association c/o Elder Leon Gravely 273 Ebony Drive, Martinsville, VA 24112 or Hospice and Palliative Care of Winston-Salem 101 Hospice Lane, Winston-Salem, NC 27103.