Howard G. Martin

Howard G. Martin, 95 a long time resident of Cleveland, passed away on Thurs. Sept. 11, 2008 at Presbyterian Hospital in Charlotte, NC. He was the son of the late Rueben F. and Kittie Worthington Martin of Sweetwater, TN. Howard was born in Sweetwater, TN, graduated from the Tennessee Military Institute and proudly served in the US Army during World War II. Howard was a resident of Cleveland from 1953 until 2007 when he moved to North Carolina to be closer to his family.

Howard worked for 26 years at Magic Chef in the personnel and purchasing departments. During this time he made many friends and touched many lives with his devotion to his employment and his fellow workers. As a member of Broad Street United Methodist Church since 1954 his faith was the center of his life. He was a long time member of the Kelly Sunday School Class and served the church in a number of leadership capacities including chairman of the Administrative Board and head usher. Howard was a member of the Cleveland Lions Club from 1954 until his death and was a strong supporter of the Lions Club Eyeglass Fund. He was also a member of the Cleveland Elks Lodge as well as the American Legion. A life long golfer, Howard was a member of Cherokee Springs Golf Course where he made many friends playing the game he loved.

Howard is preceded in death by his beloved wife Christine "Jackie" Martin who passed away in 1983. He is survived by two sons, John H. Martin of Greensboro, NC and his wife, Marcia, and James S. Martin of Charlotte, NC and his wife, Tricia, and three grandchildren, John M. Martin, Ross M. Martin, and Taylor Martin. His humor, love and genuine devotion to his family will be missed by all of those he touched.

Funeral services will be conducted at 3:00 p.m. Sunday, September 14, 2008 at Broad Street United Methodist Church with the Reverend Debbie Stokes officiating. Interment will follow in Sunset Memorial Gardens with military honors. Members of the Kelly Class will serve as honorary pallbearers.

The family will receive friends from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. Saturday at Fike Funeral Home and on Sunday afternoon from 2:00 to 3:00 pm at Broad Street United Methodist Church.

The family wishes to thank the staff of Morningside Assisted Living of Cleveland, Cleveland Care and Rehabilitation, Asbury Care Center of Charlotte, NC and Harris Hospice of Charlotte, NC for their genuine care, love and concern for Howard and his family.

The family request memorial contributions may be made to the Cleveland Evening Lions Club Eyeglass Fund, c/o Ed Townsend, 3615 Crestwood Drive, NW, Cleveland, TN 37312 or Broad Street United Methodist Church, PO Box 3, Cleveland, TN 37364-0003.