John E. Martin

Funeral services for Mr. John Edward Martin, age 81, of Wrightsville, Georgia, will be held on Saturday, February 7, 2026at 12 PM at the Williams Chapel Baptist Church, 1142 Georgia Hwy 29, in East Dublin. Interment will follow in the Old Holly Springs Baptist Church in East Dublin.

John Martin was born on Monday, July 31, 1944, in Dublin, to the late Joseph and Lula Bell Martin. In 1965, John was drafted into the Vietnam War as a soldier in the 82nd Airborne Fort Bragg, North Carolina. During his Vietnam tour, he was wounded and ultimately received a Purple Heart for his brave and dedicated service. Upon his return home, he met his late wife, Anna Mary Martin, whom he later married on September 14, 1969. They shared 56 beautiful years of marriage. On October 30, 2025, John lost the love of his life. Early in his career, John worked in a carpet plant, served as a United States Army Reservist, and attended Middle Georgia College. He worked for 30 years and retired from the Carl Vinson Veterans Administration Medical Center in Dublin, Georgia. Nevertheless, his greatest happiness was spending time with his family and helping his community.

He also found great fulfillment in worship and fellowship within his church community. During the early 1980s, John Martin, Rev. E.J. Wilson, Rev. Cornelious Horton were an integral part ofthe Civil Rights Movement in Wrightsville and surrounding cities. They encountered several racial conflicts but were never afraid nor deterred. John, Rev. Wilson, and Rev. Horton garnered the respect and recognition of Jet and Ebony magazines by bringing national attention to racism by local officials. They also coordinated one of the largest anti-racism marches in Wrightsville, led by then-President of the National SCLC, Dr. Joseph E. Lowery. John Martin was a pillar in the community, known for helping his fellow citizens.

Mr. Martin transitioned on Sunday, January 25, 2026.

He leaves to cherish his memory: his children, Kelvis Snell, Darick Martin, Randy Martin, and Alicia Buie; daughters-in-law, Patricia Snell, Terese Martin, and Syreeta Martin; son-in-law, Traune Buie; grandchildren, Kendrick Shine, Ashley Salter, Tavis Snell, Jamar Snell, Darick Martin, Jr., Darrienne Madkins, Randy Martin, Jr., Brianna Martin, Ariel Martin, Layla Martin, and Amiyah Buie; four great-grandchildren, Jayden Snell, Vanesa Flood, Nyla Snell, and Aaliyah Buie; brothers and sisters, Martha Johnson, Dorothy Harvey, Solomon Martin, Larry Martin, the late David Martin, the late Joseph Martin, the late Oletha Martin, and the late Essie Martin; brothers-in-law, Otis Snell, Artis Snell, Ronnie Snell, Charles Snell, Lambert Snell, Travis Snell, Robert Cason, and the late Kenneth Bordley; sisters-in-law, Doris Martin, Jullene Snell, Rose Bordley, Marilyn Cason, Paulette Snell, Georgette Snell, Evelyn Snell, Felicia Snell and the late Charlene Snell and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives, and friends. He will always be remembered for his unwavering willingness to help others, his devotion as a loving and supportive husband, his dedication as a father and grandfather, and his commitment to caring for his extended family.

Please post your condolences online at ServicesbyDudley.com.

Services by Dudley Funeral Home and Cremations of Dublin