W.C. Martin, Sr.

Willie Coyte (W.C.) Martin, Sr., resident of the Oakland Community, retired long distance truck operator for Gordon’s Transport Company and husband of the late Nellie Ruth Newman Martin departed this life Saturday evening, February 23, 2013 at the St. Francis Hospital in Bartlett where he had been a patient for two days. He was 90 years of age and died following an illness of three months.

Services of Remembrance for Mr. Martin were conducted at 11 A.M. Tuesday, February 26th at the Peebles West Funeral Chapel at Oakland with Bro. Carl Doyle of Oakland officiating. Special remarks and reflections were given by others who appreciated the life of Mr. Martin. Interment followed in the Fayette County Memorial Park Cemetery on Highway 64. Arrangements were provided by Peebles Fayette County Funeral Homes & Cremation Center — West Chapel at Oakland.

Mr. Martin was born January 6, 1923 in Carthage, Mississippi. He was preceded in death by his parents, Willie Lee Martin and Viola McPhail Martin. He received his education in the Carthage, Mississippi Public School System. He was married July 5, 1942 to his beloved wife, Nellie Ruth Newman Martin, who preceded him in death on February 24, 2011 after 68 years of marriage. Mr. and Mrs. Martin were residents of Memphis before moving to the Oakland Community 19 years ago.

Mr. Martin was employed by the Gordon’s Transport Company in Jackson, Mississippi and Memphis for over 35 years before his retirement 20 years ago. In earlier years he had also operated a small engine repair business at Horn Lake, Mississippi. He was a devoted member of the Oakland First Baptist Church where he participated in numerous church activities and where he had served as a church deacon.

Mr. Martin will be remembered for his devotion to family, church and friends. Gardening was a favorite pastime for many years and he received much pleasure in sharing his fresh vegetables with others. Mr. and Mrs. Martin enjoyed traveling in their motorhome in later years and the highlight of their trips was their extended tour of Alaska in their motorhome.

Mr. Martin is survived by his daughter, Sandra Wade (Tom) of Oakland; two sons, Willie Coyte Martin, Jr. (Margaret) of Casar, NC, Newman Gary Martin (Cheryl) of Piney Flats, TN; his sister, Eloise Middleton of Carthage, MS; seven grandchildren, Timothy Martin, Michelle King, Cory Wade, Ellen Matthias, Chad Martin, Jeremy Martin, Megan Martin; eleven great grandchildren and one great great grandson.

Those honored to serve as casketbearers were Tim Martin, Chad Martin, Cory Wade, Russ King, Paul Middleton, Andrew Williams, Ollie Williams and Eli Williams.

The family requests that memorials be directed to the Oakland First Baptist Church, P.O. Box 268, Oakland, TN 38068.