Joseph Roy Martin Jr.

Joseph Roy Martin Jr., of Roanoke, Va., passed away on Thursday, November 19, 2009, at the Lewis Gale Medical Center in Salem, Va. Roy was born on April 28, 1939, and grew up in Greenville, N.C., graduating from Greenville High School and East Carolina University with a Masters in English. He was a charter member of Epsilon-Mu Chapter of Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity; editor of the "Rebel," the campus literary magazine; as well as editor, sports writer and columnist for the East Carolinian. He served three years in the United States Army, stationed in Panama. Roy had a long and distinguished career as a writer, broadcaster and teacher. He was the first Sunday Editor of the Daily Reflector; a writer for the Raleigh Times; City Editor for the Greensboro Record; and Metro Editor for the Washington Star. In 1978 he moved to Roanoke, Va., to become a television News Director and later a teacher. A novelist and a Pulitzer nominee, Roy served as President and Co-chair of the Blue Ridge Writers conference. He was predeceased by his parents, J. Roy Martin Sr. and Lillian Haislip Martin; as well as one sister, Peggy Martin Woodruff. He is survived by his wife of 30 years, Sylvia R. Martin; two sons, Joseph Roy III and wife, Chri, of Dusseldorf, Germany, and John Staten Martin, of Roanoke; two stepchildren, Kathryn Cruze and husband, Dale, of Orlando, Fla., and Andy Allison and wife, Kira, of Springfield, Va.; six grandchildren; two nieces; and two nephews. A funeral service will be held 11 a.m. on Monday, November 23, 2009, at the Church of the Holy Spirit in Roanoke. The Reverend Dr. Quigg Lawrence will officiate. A visitation will be held from 3 to 5 p.m. and from 7 to 9 p.m. on Sunday, November 22, 2009, at Oakey's South Chapel, 540-989-3131. Memorials may be made to Young Life of the Roanoke Valley.