Dr. John Staten Martin

STATESBORO, Ga. -- Dr. John Staten Martin, age 90, left his earthly home in Statesboro, Ga., to dwell for eternity with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on January 20, 2014, following a long illness. He was born on November 18, 1923, to John S. Martin Sr. and Alma Hattaway Martin in Argyle, Ga. He was raised in the Okefenokee Swamp and logging woods of south Georgia. He graduated from Glenville High School in 1943, where he had played football. He worked for the Martin Lumber Company prior to enlisting in the U.S. Navy. He served at Ft. Lauderdale Naval Air Station, then for two years in the European Theater and two years in the South Pacific.
Following the war, he returned to Glenville, Ga., to own and operate a Gulf Oil Station and work in the family lumber business. He married the love of his life, Willie Kate Purvis, on September 16, 1946. Starting in 1947, the two of them attended Georgia Teachers College, graduating in 1950. He then taught industrial arts in Sylvania, Glennville and at Marvin Pittman Laboratory School in Statesboro. He completed a master's degree in industrial education at Georgia Southern College and a doctorate in education from the University of Missouri in 1977. He taught for many years at Georgia Southern University, retiring in 1986, and eventually becoming a member of the 1906 Society of GSU.
Dr. Martin left a legacy to his family of quiet Christian service. He truly lived his faith in Christ. He was a member of First Baptist Church in Statesboro for 56 years, serving as a deacon and trustee. He was a member of the Harmony Fellowship Sunday School Class.
The work of his skilled hands as a maker of fine furniture graces the homes of many family members, friends and students. More than 100 pieces attest to his craftsmanship. He devoted many hours as a volunteer for the library and football program of Georgia Southern University, for the Mann Retreat Center of the Baptist Association and at the Kiwanis Fairgrounds. He was a longtime, dedicated member of the Statesboro Kiwanis Club.
Dr. Martin was preceded in death by his parents, sisters, Thelma Swindell and Sue Oliver; brothers-in-law, Ira Hugh Swindell, Hugh Oliver, Mattox L. Purvis Sr., Claude Sprague, Yates Mauney; and sisters-in-law, Elizabeth Purvis and Bette Martin.
He is survived by his wife, Kate Purvis Martin; a daughter and son-in-law, Rebecca and Paul Nagy of Gainesville, Fla.; a son and daughter-in-law, Dr. John Edward Martin Sr. and Debbie of Statesboro; his grandchildren, John E. Martin Jr., (fiancee, Angela Smith), Kate Shiver (Billy) and Maurine; a brother, Warren A. Martin of Vidalia; a sister and brother-in-law, Ann and Russell Mosley of Vidalia; a brother-in-law and two sisters-in-law, Dr. H.E. Purvis and wife, Anne, of Hernando, Miss., and Fran Mauney of Roswell; a beloved cousin, Martha Tootle Cain (Mrs. Lee C. Cain) of Statesboro; and many nephews, nieces and extended family.
His caregivers, Napoleon Young and Kathy Nesmith, have been treasured friends.
Visitation will be Friday from 4-7 p.m. at Joiner-Anderson Funeral Home in Statesboro.
The funeral service will be Saturday at 11 a.m. at the Statesboro First Baptist Church.
The body will lie-in-state one hour prior to the service.
Interment will be in the Eastside Cemetery in Statesboro.
Pallbearers will be John E. Martin Jr., Billy Shiver, Claude Purvis, Cpl. Michael Purvis, Col. (Ret.) John Cornelson and Richard Oliver.
Honorary pallbearers will be members of the Harmony Fellowship Sunday School Class and the Statesboro Kiwanis Club.
The family requests that memorial contributions be made to the Statesboro First Baptist Church Building Fund or the Nursing Fund.
Friends may sign the online register book at www.joineranderson.com.
Joiner-Anderson Funeral Home of Statesboro is in charge of the arrangements.

Statesboro Herald, January 23, 2014
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