Warner Martin

1936 - 2025

Warner Ruth Fairey Martin, 89, passed away peacefully on Saturday, November 1, 2025, in Palm Coast, Florida in Hospice Memory Care after an extended battle with dementia.

Warner was born on April 28,1936, in Orangeburg, SC at home on her parents' farm. She was the third of four children of the late Mary Ruth Mayer Fairey and John Luther Fairey. She is survived by her daughters, Meredith Martin Davis of Palm Coast, FL, and Mayer Warner Martin of Annapolis, MD, and her son, Kevin Wheless Martin of Bluffton, SC, as well as five grandchildren: Caroline Fall Gardner (Nashville), James Martin Baker (New York), Claire Warner Gardner (Memphis), Taylor Ruth Martin Nast (Seattle), Alden Mayer Baker (Denver), and one great-grandson, Condé Nast (Seattle). In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by her beloved husband of 64 years, William (Bill) James Martin Sr, as well as her son William (Bill) James Martin Jr, daughter Alison Fairey Martin, and her brothers John (Buddy) Mayer Fairey, Larry Hutto Fairey, and Thomas Wayne Fairey.

Warner grew up in Orangeburg and graduated from Orangeburg High School in 1954. She matriculated to The University of South Carolina, Columbia, where she was a member of the Kappa Delta sorority. She met Bill Martin, and they were married on December 30, 1956. Warner finished her education in Florida at Jacksonville University in 1972 with a B.A degree in Secondary Education. She spent the next 23 years as a beloved English and Latin teacher throughout the state of Florida as she followed Bill's career (Fletcher Junior High in Jacksonville Beach, FL; Jupiter High School in Jupiter/Tequesta, FL; and Kathleen High School in Lakeland FL). She held the Department Chair position in English at Jupiter High School, and at Kathleen High School. Warner was awarded Teacher of The Year at Fletcher Junior High School and again at Kathleen High School before she retired.

Warner retired in 1995, and she and Bill moved back to Orangeburg, SC. She was an active member of the Orangeburg Lutheran Church. Warner was active with various social clubs and talented at and loved gardening and flower arranging. Warner will be deeply missed by family and friends.

Graveside services will be held on a future date TBD, at Memorial Park Cemetery in Orangeburg, SC. Memorials may be sent to Orangeburg Lutheran Church.