James Luther Martin

James Luther Martin, 83, of Connelly Springs, NC died Tuesday, February 1, 2011 at his residence. Born in Lincoln County, NC on July 9, 1927, he was the son of the late Rev. Alvin Wilson Martin and Adar Proctor Martin. James was a member of Pleasant Grove Baptist Church, where he was a deacon, Sunday School teacher, and a choir member.James is survived by his wife, Lou Ellen Martin of the home; sons, Wayne Martin and wife, Debra, of Connelly Springs, Bruce Martin and wife, Cathy, of Valdese, NC, and Richard Martin of Connelly Springs; daughters, Daisy Bolick and husband, Ned, of Lawndale, NC, Norma Bowman and husband, Steven, of Claremont, NC, and Marilyn Yancey and husband, Johnny, of Connelly Springs; brothers, Lester Martin of Vale, NC and Burl Martin of Dallas, NC; a sister, Betty Craig of Vale, NC; grandchildren, Laura Martin, Tyler Bowman, Natalie Jones, Katie Martin, Emily Martin, Teddy Bolick, Scott Bolick, and James Hogan; three great-grandchildren; and a number of nephews and nieces.In addition to his parents, James was preceded in death by brothers, Andrew, Frank, Charles, and Nixon Martin; and a sister, Willie Mae Sain.The funeral will be held at 2:00 p.m., Thursday, February 3, 2011 at Pleasant Grove Baptist Church with Reverends Douglas C. Price and Burl Sain officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. The family received friends Wednesday evening from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m. at Sossoman Funeral Home and Crematory Center where the body will remain until placed in the church thirty minutes prior to the funeral hour. At other times the family will be at the residence. Memorial contributions may be made to Pleasant Grove Baptist Church Building Fund, 4754 Old NC 18, Morganton, NC 28655 or the Burke Hospice and Palliative Care, Inc., 1721 Enon Road, Valdese, NC 28690.