Dr David Verill Martin

MARTIN, Dr. David Verill

Dr. David Verill Martin passed away August 22, 2025. Born in Fargo, North Dakota, March 6, 1945, to August and Helen Martin, David was blessed when his father, an Evangelical United Brethren minister, was transferred to a small church in Lutz, FL. It was there that he met the love of his life, Lynn Dee Roberts. The two were married July 1, 1972, and have made their home in Smyrna, GA, for the past 45 years. Following his service in the United States Army, David taught and coached baseball at Sprayberry High School and was an adjunct professor at Agnes Scott College. After receiving a Doctor of Philosophy in Educational Leadership with a concentration in Economics from Georgia State University in 1981, he would go on to serve as the Executive Director of the Georgia Council on Economic Education from 1982 to 2017. His work focused on helping teachers teach economics in the public and independent schools of Georgia. The National Association of Economic Educators presented him with the inaugural David V. Martin Lifetime Achievement Award in 2016.

David and Lynn Dee have four children: Seth (Son 1), Benjamin (Son 2), Joshua (Son 3), and Rebekah (Beloved Daughter). David took incredible pride in his children and was a constant positive force in their lives. Whether it was watching sporting events—baseball, basketball, cross country, soccer, track, and tennis to name a few—or celebrating their performances in concerts and plays, for David, family came first. And along with his biological family, David also had a true church family at Smyrna First United Methodist Church. Lynn Dee served in the music ministry at the church for more than three decades, serving as Director of Music for much of that period. David taught the Biblical Connections Sunday School Class for twenty-five years, was a dedicated member of the Sharing Class, served as Chairman of the Glorifying God Capital Campaign and the Capturing the Vision Campaign, and served as Chairman of the Standing on the Promises Campaign. David and Lynn Dee also both took great joy in serving as Stephen Ministers.

After retiring, David found a new calling, sharing his delicious banana bread on a weekly basis with those in the church and across the metro area. What started as a hobby became a true ministry. He also developed a passion for keeping the streets of Smyrna clean, quite literally picking up trash upon his dedicated routes. He loved spending time with his grandkids, and was already grooming the next generation of ping-pong players. He also loved spending time visiting with the elderly, or in his words, "My peers." In all things he was guided by Galatians 6:2: "Bear one another's burdens, and thus fulfill the Law of the Lord."

David's favorite saying was "It's a wonderful life." His life was both wonderful, and wonderfully full. He will be terribly missed, but his memory and the example he set remain with all those whose lives he touched.

In addition to his wife and four children, David is survived by his brother, John; and his eight grandchildren: Jackson, Harper, Avery, Mackenzie, Colton, Maya, Caleb, and Eli.

Visitation will be Wednesday, August 27, from 5:00-8:00 PM, at Carmichael Funeral Home. A Celebration of Life Service will be held Thursday, August 28, at 2:00 PM, at Smyrna First United Methodist Church.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to either Smyrna First United Methodist Church or the Georgia Council on Economics Education. Carmichael Funeral Home in Smyrna is in charge of arrangements, 770-435-4457.

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