Leonard Roy Martin Sr.

Leonard Roy Martin, Sr., 87, of Waverly, VA passed away at his residence on November 28, 2024. He was born in Hopewell, VA to Anna and Roy Martin on October 1, 1937. He attended Disputanta High School and served in the US Army. He was a proud Korean War Veteran. He was a member of the Lutheran Church of Our Redeemer. He helped his father clear the lot where the current church stands at the corner of Weyanoke and S. Sycamore Streets in Petersburg between December 1950 and September 1951, when the current church broke ground. 

Leonard retired from Home Beneficial/American General Life Insurance Company where he served as staff manager. After retirement, he decided he was not finished working so he re-entered the work force and enjoyed many years helping his neighbors and friends, engaging with people and helping them with their “fix it” needs working at Thacker’s Ace Hardware. He loved to fish, camp, work in his yard, watch nature, feed birds, and help his neighbors and friends. He was a jack of all trades and was frequently called upon by friends, family, and neighbors for advice or help on their projects. He enjoyed building things and had been known to help build a thing or two, including an addition to his home and a fort for his grandchildren. 

He is preceded in death by his parents, Roy C. Martin and Anna K. Martin, and his sister, Brenda M. Sadler. He is survived by his children, Sharon K. Martin (Scott) and Leonard Roy Martin, Jr. (Tracy); grandchildren, Lindi B. Moore (Jeremy), Matthew J. Martin (Taylor), and Garrett E. Martin (Miranda); great-grandchild, Raegan B. Moore; sister, Carolyn M. Emory; numerous nieces, nephews, and friends, and a long-time devoted friend, companion, caregiver, and confidante, Marlene Evans. 

A funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, December 6, 2024 at the Crater Road Chapel of the E. Alvin Small Funeral Homes and Crematory, 3935 S. Crater Road, Petersburg, VA, 23805. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at the funeral home. Graveside military honors will commence after services at Southlawn Memorial Park, 1911 Birdsong Rd, Petersburg, VA, 23805. 

The family expresses gratitude to Sussex County Sheriff’s Department and Waverly and LifeStar Rescue Squads for their caring, kindness, and professional support. The delivery of the Thanksgiving meal demonstrated true empathy and caring, recognizing the inability to care for oneself in the midst of shock and grief. The kindness will always be remembered. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Leonard’s favorite charity, St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, https://www.stjude.org/donate.