Leonard Martin

Mr. Leonard William Martin, age 94, of Burlington, passed away on Friday, February 1, 2019, at his home after two months of failing health. A native of Alamance County, he was the son of the late Willie and Vannie Haith Martin and was married 69 years to the late Betty Iola Burnette Martin, who passed in 2015. He was a member of Martin’s Chapel Baptist Church.
Leonard was a veteran of the U.S. Army and served as a truck driver and demolition specialist in Germany and France during World War II. For his service, he received the EAME Service
Ribbon with two bronze stars. Most of his working life was in textile mills. With only a third- grade formal education, Leonard received a Diploma/Certificate in Drafting, Design, Carpentry,
and Furniture making from the Jordan Sellars High School Industrial Education program in cooperation with NC A&T State University. While working at Tower Hosiery Mill in the
Maintenance Department, he designed and produced a mechanism that improved a part of machinery in the hosiery making process. This work was later patented. He retired from Tower
Mill with over 34 years of service.
For over 30 years, Leonard would lace up his shoes and send strikes down the lane as a member of the Tuesday Night Strikers Bowling Team. In his role as Dad, Granddaddy, and Paw Paw, Leonard was an active participant in the activities of his children, grandchildren, and great- grandchildren. He never had time to relax as he watched them participate in baseball, softball, football, soccer, wresting, drag racing, band, orchestra, cheerleading, dance, theatre, and gymnastics. In 2015, he became a resident gardener and easy-going participant in weekly
activities at the Piedmont Health Senior Care Center (PACE).
Mr. Martin is survived by his five children: Barbara Martin of Burlington, Beverly Graves of the home, Patricia Mebane of Fayetteville, Sheila (Randy) Jeffries of Gibsonville, and Gregory
Martin of Sedalia; eleven grandchildren, eighteen great grandchildren, and six great-great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, wife, five sisters, two brothers, and one
grandchild.
The funeral service will be held at 12 noon on Friday, February 8, 2019, at Lowe Funeral Home Chapel. Interment will follow at Alamance Memorial Park. The family will receive friends from
5-7pm Thursday evening at the funeral home, from 11:00 – 11:45am Friday morning prior to the service, and other times at the residence.