Wilbur Martin

Mr. Wilbur Douglas Martin, 88, went home to be with the Lord at 6:30 AM on Thursday, January 30, 2014 following six years of declining health. He was born in Pleasant Grove and has lived in Burlington since 1947, where he retired as a supervisor for the city of Burlington Beautification Department after 35 years. Wilbur graduated from Jordon Sellars High School and from Vocational Trade School in brick laying. He also attended Bread Loaf Bible College. He loved the Lord and was a member of Ebenezer United Church of Christ where he was a deacon, a former Sunday School Superintendent and teacher. He was a member of the American Legion Post 286 and a member of the North Carolina retired Government Employees Association. He is a member of the Occaneechi Band of the Saponi Nation, Native American Tribe. Wilbur was also a World War II veteran of the US Navy. He never met a stranger and loved to share the produce from his garden with others. Wilbur is survived by his loving wife of 60 years, Sylvia L. Hayes Martin; two sons, Wilbur "Wil" Martin and wife, Ruth Ann of Albuquerque, NM and Ken Martin and wife, Donna of Knoxville, TN; two grandchildren, Randy Martin and Rebecca Gullett; four sisters-in-law, Elvira Hayes, Jewearl Burnett, Claudette Hayes and Rachel Hayes and many beloved nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Matthew and Rosa Martin; two sisters, Nettie Burnette and Gladys Mayo and two brothers, John Martin and Hubert Martin. A funeral service to celebrate his life will be held 2:00pm on Sunday, February 2, 2014 at Martin's Chapel Baptist Church in Pleasant Grove by Dr. Rev. Larry E. Covington and Rev. Robert Jarrell with the burial to follow at the church cemetery. A visitation with reception will be held 4-6pm on Saturday, February 1, 2014 at Lowe Funeral Home and Crematory and other times at the home. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Hospice and Palliative Care Center of Alamance-Caswell, 914 Chapel Hill Road, Burlington NC, 27215 or Martins Chapel Baptist Church, 5043 Martin Chapel Church Road, Mebane NC, 27302.