Lewis County Herald - Serving Hohenwald, Lewis County Tennessee Since 1898

July 7, 1935 ~ May 4, 2021

Allen Ray 'Big Al' Martin passed away quietly in the early morning hours of Tuesday, May 4, while a patient at Maury Regional Medical Center in Columbia.

Al, the son of Sidney and Ethel (Johnson) Martin, was born July 7, 1935 in Santa Fe, Oklahoma. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by wife Charlyn Leeper Martin and son Vincent V. Martin in 2013.

Other family members preceding him are sisters Medalina, Inez Palmer, Mary Finnell, Dortha, and Nell Maggard; brothers Charles Aaron, John Travis and Richard.

He is survived by sisters Irene Moss of Tuttle, Oklahoma and Nettie Martin of Edmond, Oklahoma, and numerous nieces and nephews whom he dearly loved.

Allen received his Bachelors degree from Central State University of Edmond, Oklahoma and taught in Dillingham, Nome, and Wasilla, Alsaka for several years.

During his 20 years in Alaska, he held many positions: Manager of the State Fair at Palmer, accountant for Jones Coal Mining and Construction Company, and accountant at a 25 bed hospital.

He transitioned to his first passion of farming when he and his family moved to Hohenwald in 1978.

Al was active in Hohenwald and Lewis County events through the years including the German Chorus, Community Chorus, and the South Central Fair. He loved to cook and share his goodies. He enjoyed gardening and was know as 'the squash man' to some for dropping excess harvest in the vehicles of friends.

His remains will be cremated and placed at Dabbs Cemetery with his wife and son.

A memorial service will be held Saturday, May 15 at 10:00 a.m. at Hohenwald Cumberland Presbyterian Church on South Park.