Rev. Dr. Earl D. Martin

 

The Rev. Dr. Earl Martin entered the Life Triumphant on February 22, 2013. Dr. Martin was born on September 21, 1926 at home in Lynchburg, a son of the late Walter Scott Martin, Sr. and the late Myra Higginbotham Martin.

 

He was a graduate of E. C. Glass High School, Lynchburg College, Garrett Evangelical Theological Seminary (Evanston, Ill.) Northwestern University and Walden University. In 2004 he published his M.A. thesis Mary McLeod Bethune: Matriarch of Black America.

 

He was a retired Elder in the Virginia Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church, having served pastorates in Illinois, Virginia and North Carolina. He also taught high school at Altavista High, Campbell County High and Gretna High and he taught Sociology at Methodist University in Fayetteville, N.C. Since retirement he has served as interim pastor of several churches in the Lynchburg area and was instrumental in starting the Lynchburg/Central Virginia Walk to Emmaus.

 

He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Margaret A. Martin, a daughter, Kathy M. Crone and husband Don Crone, two sons: E. Scott Martin, and John A. Martin, of Lynchburg; a granddaughter: Kelly M. Crone, of Richmond, VA; and two sisters: Evelyn M. Henning of Cape Coral, Florida, and Beryl E. Martin (his twin), of Lynchburg; a sister-in-law, Virginia Howard, brother-in-law, Tom Adams (Paula) and many wonderful nieces and nephews and friends.

 

Predeceasing him were a sister, Christine Graham and her husband, George (Billy), a brother Walter Martin, Jr. and his wife Eleanor and brother-in-law, Gerald F. Henning.

 

The Celebration of Earl\"™s life will be held on Monday, February 25, 2013 at 1:00 p.m. at Heritage United Methodist Church, with the Rev. Will Montgomery and the Rev. Megan Saucier officiating. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at the church, and other times at the residence. Interment will follow the service in Presbyterian Cemetery.

 

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Heritage United Methodist Church, 582 Leesville Road, Lynchburg, VA 24502.

Tharp Funeral Home and Crematory, Lynchburg, is handling arrangements (434) 237-9424.