Lacy Burl "Sleepy" Martin

Lacy Burl “Sleepy” Martin, age 78, was reunited with his beloved wife, Aileen, on September 9, 2024. A proud Vietnam Veteran and lifelong trucker, Sleepy earned his CB handle during his career as a long-haul truck driver. He cherished the friendships formed on the road, the trucks he drove and owned, the many memories made, and the joy in his daughters’ voices when they spoke with him over the CB radio after he’d set off on a new trip. Each daughter shared a special road trip with their dad, experiencing firsthand the true "life on the road." He recently went for lunch at Bush's, where he and his father "Butch" both worked for many years. Sleepy was a man of few words, and his family lovingly joked that any meal that earned a score above “it’s alright” was high praise. He loved his cigarettes, Diet Coke, peanut butter & crackers, and good wholesome food, especially Beetle’s Broasted Chicken (RIP) and Tinsely-Bibles' Bible Burger, and was happy his sister Pat moved back to Dandridge to keep him well-stocked with all of his favorites. Not surprisingly, he was a big consumer of food-based TV shows on Food Network, Cooking Channel, and Travel Channel. If there wasn't a food show blaring on the TV, it was one with Dr. Pol, something about science, or a military-focused show. He had a deep passion for sports cars, motorcycles, and NASCAR - which he shared with his oldest daughter, Carla. One of his proudest accomplishments came later in life - owning a metallic orange Dodge Challenger, a car he had dreamed about for years but never thought he would have. It symbolized his quiet perseverance and the joy of fulfilling a long-held wish. He enjoyed recent outings to Dandridge’s June Jubilee, the Wheels Through Time Museum, and any time his grandson Brett would drive him around town in his "hot rod." Always moved when people expressed gratitude for his service, Sleepy was humbled by the acknowledgments he received as a proud Vietnam Veteran. Sleepy was a man of quiet strength and tough love, but always ready to lend a hand when needed. His quiet, kind nature touched many lives, and he was affectionately known as “Papaw Burl” to many “grandchildren” and “grand pups” whom he adopted in love over the years. Married in the old First Baptist Church overlooking Douglas Lake, Sleepy was of the Baptist faith and loved watching hours of sermons and gospel singing every Sunday morning. Sleepy is preceded in death by his father, Lacy Faye “Butch” Martin; his mother, Viola Ruth Martin; his brother, Ronnie Martin; his wife, Aileen C. Martin, and brother-in-law, Doyle Revis. He is survived by his sister, Patricia Martin; his daughters, Carla and Crystal Martin; his treasured grandson, Brett Martin; and many beloved nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. His family would like to extend a heartfelt thanks to the Dannie A. Carr Veterans Outpatient Clinic in Sevierville, the James H. Quillen Veterans Hospital, and SCHAS for the exceptional care they provided him in his later years. Our deepest gratitude to the Jefferson County Rescue Squad, Dandridge Police Department, Dandridge Volunteer Fire Department, and Jefferson Memorial Hospital for their quick and tireless efforts to gift us a few final hours. We are also grateful to Stephan, Sonyna, and Stephanie Carr for their loving presence, comfort, and lifting of their beautiful singing voices to help carry our Daddy & Papaw into heaven.

The family will receive friends on Thursday, September 12, 2024 from 12:00pm to 1:00pm at Farrar Funeral Home Chapel in Dandridge. Funeral service will follow at 1:00pm with Rev. Darrell Chambers and Rev. Charlie Shipley officiating. A graveside service with Military Honors will follow at Dandridge Memorial Gardens.

Arrangements by Farrar Funeral Home, Dandridge, TN 865-397-2711