Dr. George Brantley Martin Sr.

Spartanburg, SC - Dr. George Brantley Martin, Sr. who inspired countless students in his 36 years as a professor, died Tuesday, January 11, 2011 at his home in Spartanburg, SC at the age of 72. George was born in Bamberg, South Carolina on July 21, 1938 to the late Wick and Bonnie Martin.
Dr. George Martin is a graduate of Carlisle Military Academy 1955, and earned a Bachelor of Arts in English from Wofford College in 1959. His teaching began in 1962 at Carlisle Military School in Bamberg, SC, after his two-year tour of duty with the Army. Dr. Martin had a distinguished career as a college Professor of English, with a specialty in Shakespeare and Milton. He earned a Masters in English from The University of Georgia in 1963 and served in the Honors Program at the University of Georgia where he was awarded the Beaver Award the first year it was given, for his superb teaching in the Honors Program. Dr. Martin took a two year sabbatical in England, to earn a PhD in English from Manchester University, in 1965-1967. He returned to UGA English Faculty to teach in the Honors Program until 1981 when he joined the Wofford College faculty as Professor of English and Chair of the English Department. He retired from Wofford in 1995 to serve as the President of Liberty Fund, based in Indianapolis, IN until December 2002. Liberty Fund, founded by Pierre Goodrich, is a foundation that discusses great books throughout the United States, England, Central and South America, and Iceland. Upon retirement from Liberty Fund, Dr. Martin returned to Spartanburg and taught adjunct classes at Wofford until 2005.
In 2004, he was awarded the Distinguished Alumni Award by the Carlisle and Camden Military Schools. Dr. Martin was active in the Church of the Advent; a member of the Brotherhood of Saint Andrew and a lecturer in Sunday School Classes on the works of C.S. Lewis.
George loved fine food and found great pleasure cooking for family and friends. He was inspired by the beauty of English gardens and worked diligently to create one of his own. But nothing gave him more joy than to listen and help. He was known for his passion for life and his optimism. Students of Dr. Martin fondly remember him for his compassion and ability to transform literature. He believed in living life to the fullest and inspired those close to him for his determination and willingness to fight adversity. He was a wonderful storyteller with uncanny ability to weave life and literature seamlessly. In his final chapter of life he continued to teach those close to him about perseverance and faith. His recent activities were narrowed to enjoying visits with family, and discussing books with retired faculty friends. His great love was his four grandchildren and he cherished the times they visited with him.
He is survived by his wife, Agnes Reed of Spartanburg; his son, George Brantley Martin, Jr. and his wife Kung-Hwa of Virginia; two daughters Lillian Stephano and her husband Dan of Pennsylvania and Reed Chewning and her husband Michael of Spartanburg. He defined his four grandchildren as 'his joy and his light', Mary Fields Chewning, Willis Martin, Ligon Chewning, and Julian Martin.
The family extends great appreciation to the doctors and staff at Greenville Hospital System, St. Frances of Greenville, Mary Black and Spartanburg Regional, the Cottages of Brushy Creek in Greer, Interim Health Care and the Health Care of St. Frances/Greenville Hospital System, and the Senior Care Consultants of South Carolina.
Dr. Martin will be available for viewing Friday, January 14, 2011 at Floyd's North Church Street Chapel from 8:30 a.m. until 7:00 p.m. and Saturday, January 15, 2011 from 8:30-11:00 a.m.
The family will celebrate his life at 1:00 p.m. Saturday, January 15, 2011, at the Episcopal Church of the Advent, conducted by the Rev. J. Edward Morris. Friends and family will be received following the service at the Piedmont Club.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that you make a donation to The American Heart Association, 3535 Pelham Road, Suite 101, Greenville, SC 29615 or the American Diabetes Association, 16-A Brozzini Court, Greenville, SC 29615.
An online guestbook is available at www.floydmortuary.com.
Floyd's North Church Street Chapel.