Charles Horton Martin

Charles “Charlie” H. Martin beloved father, husband, grandfather, brother, uncle, friend and neighbor passed away in his home of more than 50 years in North Atlanta at the age of 85 on Wednesday, July 22, 2020.

Charlie was born on July 11, 1935 on the farm of his grandfather Horace Martin in Euharlee, Georgia to Robert Lewis Martin Sr. and Rebecca Aileen Emerson Martin.

Charlie was a lifelong Atlanta resident and longtime member of Messiah Lutheran Church in Decatur. He was baptized at the Baptist Tabernacle in downtown Atlanta, rode stick horses on the “Red Bank” before I-85 was even dreamed of, grew up in the white house on the hill on Cherry Street overlooking Rose Bowl field, played with his brothers Frank and Louis “Doc”, and graduated from O’Keefe High School.

As a young man Charlie was an avid horseman and an accomplished equestrian. He participated in many shows and jumping events in the city.

Charlie graduated from Georgia State University with a Bachelors degree in Accounting. He was also a Distinguished Military Graduate and was commissioned in the US Army Reserves where he served in the Infantry.

He was a proud partner of the J. M. Clayton Contracting Electrical Engineering firm for more than 30 years.

One of Charlie’s passions in life was music and opera was one of his greatest joys. Dad was a patron of the Metropolitan Opera touring company that came to Atlanta annually and introduced us all to Verdi, Puccini and Maestro Pavarotti. We were fortunate to be exposed to his great love and knowledge of music. Dad was a member and benefactor to the Choir at Messiah Lutheran Church for many years.

Another of Charlie’s passions was history. He loved learning about the Constitution. He particularly loved the history of his Scottish, Irish and English ancestors who settled in North West Georgia in the late 1700’s and also loved all things related to the history of the English monarchy.

Our mother, Dian, was the love of his life and he was a devoted husband. We think he was the greatest Dad on the planet! He was the rock of our family who loved and supported us all.

He is survived by his son , Charles “Chuck” Jr., wife Desiree, their children Cameron and Olivia; his daughter Donna Martin Jennings, husband Scott and son Ethan; and his son Carl and his children Grant and Ally. He is also survived by his brother, Frank and wife Dottie, of Indian Pass, Florida, and his nephew, Don Miller Schreffler, wife Shirley, and their children, Victoria and Don III of Maryland.

His beloved wife Dian Schreffler Martin preceded him in death in December of 1981. Other loved ones that preceded him in death include his parents R.L. Martin Sr, Rebecca A. Martin; his brother, R.L. Martin Jr. ; sister-in-law Beverly S. Martin; nephew Joe F. Martin Jr.; mother-in-law Dorcas Miller Schreffler and daughter-in-law Patricia Bentos Martin.

It is said that the measure of a man is taken from his faith, his character and by the love that he gives to all those around him. Our father was a man of great faith and demonstrated by his daily actions that he was a “ good and faithful servant” of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

We will miss him for the rest of our lives. He adored his five grandchildren and deeply loved all of his family and friends. His life was a reflection of his devotion to the Lord, his family, friends and neighbors. One of his favorite sayings was “your life is God’s gift to you, what you do with your life is your gift to God”. We will all try to carry forward his legacy of love and devotion and live lives that are a blessing to all those we encounter.

Please join us to remember and celebrate the life of our father, Charlie Martin, on Saturday, August 1.

We appreciate the outpouring of love and support that we are each receiving from all of our friends, neighbors, colleagues and extended family.

Peace be with you, all.

Funeral services are at A. S. Turner and Sons in Decatur on Saturday, August 1, 2020. Visitation is from noon to 2 p.m. followed by a service in the chapel with interment immediately following at Floral Hills Memory Garden in Tucker GA.

Please note that the chapel service will also be live streamed on A. S. Turner’s Facebook page.

Memorials in his loving memory may be made to the Martin/Schreffler Family Music Scholarship at Newberry College, 2100 College Street, Newberry, South Carolina 29108.