1924
John
2007
John Martin
March 3, 1924 — February 23, 2007
JOHN BERL MARTIN
Tupelo - John Berl Martin, 82, died Friday, February 23, 2007, at his residence after an extended illness. A Webster County native, he was born March 3, 1924 to the late John Barthowell and Ona Mae Floyd Martin. He grew up in the Dancy Community. A graduate of Cumberland High School, he then entered United States Navy serving two years at the Brooklyn Naval Hospital and on the hospital ship USS Tranquility as a Pharmacist Mate 3rd class. After his service time he enrolled in watchmaker/jewelry school and upon completion began his career in this profession. He and his family moved to Tupelo in 1960 to be a part of the Dreifus Jewelry staff where he was employed until hretirement age. After retirement, he worked part time for Reed's Jewelry in the Tupelo Mall until his illness.
He was a member of Calvary Baptist Church where he was active in the men's Sunday School Class of Adult B and the Senior Friends Organization..He enjoyed reading his Bible and other books pertaining to God's Word. At a young age he became an avid fisherman and loved anything outdoors, especially gardening and watching his martin birds. He was a member of the Tupelo Masonic Lodge #318 where he was a past master and taught many men the rudiments of masonry. He was well known in this area through the Masons and his work as a jeweler. He was a gentle and quiet man and loved by all who knew him.
Services will be 2 p.m. Sunday at The Jefferson Street Chapel of W. E. Pegues with Dr. Bryant Barnes officiating. Graveside services will be 4 p.m. at Wake Forrest Cemetery in Dancy.
Survivors include his wife of 50 years, Betty Lane Martin of Tupelo; a son, John Trenton (Johnny) Martin and wife, Beth, of Tupelo; two granddaughters, Betsy and Katybeth Martin; five sisters, Geneva Bass of Kennesaw, Ga., Mae Converse of Warner Robbins, Ga., Willene Hollis of Mantee, Eva Perkins and husband, Jake, of Mathiston, Dot Simonds and husband, Bill of Starkville; numerous nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, Kyle Martin.
His nephews will serve as pallbearers. Honorary pallbearers will be all Masonic Brethren.
Visitation will be 5 to 8 p.m. Saturday at the funeral home.
Memorials may be made to Calvary Baptist Church Building Fund, P.O. Box 1008 West Main St. Tupelo, MS 38802.
Tupelo - John Berl Martin, 82, died Friday, February 23, 2007, at his residence after an extended illness. A Webster County native, he was born March 3, 1924 to the late John Barthowell and Ona Mae Floyd Martin. He grew up in the Dancy Community. A graduate of Cumberland High School, he then entered United States Navy serving two years at the Brooklyn Naval Hospital and on the hospital ship USS Tranquility as a Pharmacist Mate 3rd class. After his service time he enrolled in watchmaker/jewelry school and upon completion began his career in this profession. He and his family moved to Tupelo in 1960 to be a part of the Dreifus Jewelry staff where he was employed until hretirement age. After retirement, he worked part time for Reed's Jewelry in the Tupelo Mall until his illness.
He was a member of Calvary Baptist Church where he was active in the men's Sunday School Class of Adult B and the Senior Friends Organization..He enjoyed reading his Bible and other books pertaining to God's Word. At a young age he became an avid fisherman and loved anything outdoors, especially gardening and watching his martin birds. He was a member of the Tupelo Masonic Lodge #318 where he was a past master and taught many men the rudiments of masonry. He was well known in this area through the Masons and his work as a jeweler. He was a gentle and quiet man and loved by all who knew him.
Services will be 2 p.m. Sunday at The Jefferson Street Chapel of W. E. Pegues with Dr. Bryant Barnes officiating. Graveside services will be 4 p.m. at Wake Forrest Cemetery in Dancy.
Survivors include his wife of 50 years, Betty Lane Martin of Tupelo; a son, John Trenton (Johnny) Martin and wife, Beth, of Tupelo; two granddaughters, Betsy and Katybeth Martin; five sisters, Geneva Bass of Kennesaw, Ga., Mae Converse of Warner Robbins, Ga., Willene Hollis of Mantee, Eva Perkins and husband, Jake, of Mathiston, Dot Simonds and husband, Bill of Starkville; numerous nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, Kyle Martin.
His nephews will serve as pallbearers. Honorary pallbearers will be all Masonic Brethren.
Visitation will be 5 to 8 p.m. Saturday at the funeral home.
Memorials may be made to Calvary Baptist Church Building Fund, P.O. Box 1008 West Main St. Tupelo, MS 38802.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of John Martin, please visit our flower store.
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