Lawrence Byron Martin, age 85, passed away Monday, July 29, 2013 at his home in Columbus. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Gunter & Peel Funeral Home. The family will receive friends at Gunter & Peel Funeral Home Thursday, August 1, 2013 from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM. Services will be Friday, August 2, 2013 at 10:00 AM in the chapel of Gunter & Peel with the Revs. Ben Butler and Todd Lemmon, officiating. Burial will immediately follow in Egger Cemetery. The son of the late Rudolph and Lucy Muril Barton Martin, Mr. Martin was born November 9, 1927 in Bradshaw, VA. He graduated from Andrew Lewis High School in Salem, VA and enlisted in the Air Force in 1948. He was an aircraft mechanic and advanced to B52 Crew Chief. He retired from the Air Force at Columbus Air Force Base in August, 1970 with 22 years and 28 days of service. He then began a second career as a metal fabricator at Columbus Machine and Welding and retired from there after 20 years of employment. He was a longtime member of Caledonia United Methodist Church. In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his wife Barbara Jean McBride Martin, his daughter Cheryl Ann Martin, his brother Fred Martin, and his granddaughter Katherine E. McEvoy. Mr. Martin is survived by his friend and companion Doris Conner of Caledonia, his children Peter M. Martin and David L. Martin, both of Columbus, Stuart A. Martin and his wife Amber of Knoxville, TN, Virginia M. Brooks and her husband Randy of The Woodlands, TX and Mary M. Campuzano and her husband Luis of Longview, TX. He is also survived by his brothers and sisters and their spouses Norris and Geraldine Martin and Leon and Shirley Martin, all of Salem, VA, Dale and Rachel Martin of Pikeville, VA, Betty and Lowell Bower of Elliston, VA , his sister-in-law Clara Martin of Glen Allen, VA. , his grandchildren Meredith Brooks, Dana Brooks, Christina M. Smith, Hannah Staley, Tanya McEvoy, David Howell and Ashley Howell and three great grandchildren. Pallbearers will be Peter M. Martin, David L. Martin, Stuart A. Martin, Randy Brooks, Jacky Britton, and Vince Britton. Honorary pallbearers will be staff and former employees of Columbus Machine and Welding and members of Caledonia United Methodist Church. Memorials may be sent to Caledonia United Methodist, P.O. Box 1, Caledonia, MS 39740.
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