Dr. M. Josephine Martin

***Please note that due to concerns about the recent surge of Covid related illnesses, the family has decided on a graveside service only. Visitation will still be on Friday for those who wish to come pay their respects and sign the register book, but the family may not be present. Thank you for your understanding.***

It is with much sadness that the family announces the death of Dr. M. Josephine (Jo) Martin in the early hours of August 19, 2021.

Dr. Martin’s career was devoted to child nutrition and preventing childhood hunger. As early as 1950 she began her career in child nutrition as a consultant for the Georgia Department of Education. In 1961 she was the State Child Nutrition Director until she was promoted in 1987 to Division Director over Child Nutrition, Statistical Services and Textbooks. In 1987 Dr. Martin was promoted to Assistant State School Superintendent for Special Services where she was in charge of Public Library Services, Teacher Certification and the administration of three state schools serving handicapped children. All of this time she served on the Executive Board of the Georgia School Food Service Association (GSFSA), and held many other positions with the School Nutrition Association (SNA), formerly known as, American School Food Service Association (ASFSA) including its President in 1976.

In addition to her efforts at the state level, she began her service to the American Dietetic Association (ADA) in the 1970s as a member of the Public Policy and Legislative Committee. She represented the ADA before the US Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry. She had more than 50 appearances before various committees of the US House of Representatives and the US Senate and had a significant impact on the building of the legislative framework for child nutrition programs throughout the country. Through her efforts and the support of Claude Purcell, then State Superintendent of Schools met with Senator Richard B. Russell to seek an amendment to The National School Lunch Act and its first step toward performance funding. This additional funding provided schools where poverty was the greatest, provided funds where children that had no money or not enough money to pay for school meals. This allowed states to reach needy children including the Child Nutrition Act creating school breakfast pilot programs in areas of needy schools.

From 1991 until 1996 she served as the first Executive Director of the National Food Service Management Institute at the University of Mississippi. However, she did not stop there. In 1997 she formed, The Josephine Martin Group, Inc. serving as a consultant, training expert, lecture, project director, and as an adjunct professor at both Georgia State University and at the University of Georgia.

Not only was she respected by her peers but President Richard Nixon, Senator Herman Talmadge, Congressman Carl Perkins, Senator George McGovern and President Jimmy Carter to name a few all called on her to present the legislation platform on child nutrition. President Carter selected her to represent the White House at the 1977 World Food Summit in Rome, Italy.

She has received numerous awards for her tireless devotion to the nutrition of children including but limited to the IFMA’s Silver Plate Award for School Food Service, the ADA Margorie Hulsizer Copher Award, the ADA Medallion Award, the Gertude Applebaum Lifetime Achievement Award, the Gene White Lifetime Achievement Award for Child Nutrition, following Senators Robert Dole and George McGovern.

She was most proud of her induction into the Hall of Recognition in the College of Family and Consumer Sciences at her alma mater, the University of Georgia, as well as being known as a Registered Dietitian.

In addition to UGA, she completed a dietetic internship at Duke University, received her Master’s Degree at Teachers College, Columbia University, New York, and Ph.D at Georgia State University.

Jo was born and raised in Lula, Georgia and attended Lula First Baptist Church and later, Briarlake Baptist Church, Decatur, Ga. She is predeceased by her parents, Noah A. and Ina B. Martin, her brother William N. (Bill) Martin. Jo is survived by her nephew Michael W. Martin and his wife Maureen, Great Nephews Brian (Melanie), Scott (Ramsey), and Kevin Martin. Great-grand nephews, Matthew, Alex and

Henry Martin. Jo is also survived by her longtime friend, Hazel Nystrom, numerous cousins, friends, neighbors, colleagues and co-workers throughout the country.

A special thanks goes to Kerri Lloyd who has been her friend and care giver for many years and also Phoenix of Dunwoody Assisted Living, Dunwoody GA for their care for the past four years.

Due to the recent increase in Covid 19, there will be visitation Friday, Aug. 27 from 2 pm to 7 pm without family attending. Interment will be Saturday, Aug. 28 at Westview Cemetery, Lula Ga. at 2:30 PM. Dr. Tommy Ferrell will officiate the graveside service.

Donations can be made to the:

Josephine Martin National Policy Fellow Endowment Fund
c/o School Nutrition Foundation
2900 S. Quincy St, Ste 700, Arlington, VA 22206, Attn: Kim Williams

Or

Provision Bridge, Atlanta Quota Club
c/o Donna Taefi, 496 West Spalding Drive, Sandy Springs, GA 30328

Selected Quotes and other Accomplishments:

Feb. 25, 1970, Senator Herman Talmadge

“I appreciate your fine assistance on this bill over the past year. The Senate would not have passed this legislation had it not been for your efforts.”

1970, Alan J. Stone, Staff Director and Counsel US Senate Select Committee on Nutrition and Human Needs.

“Those of us in legislative roles turned to Jo Martin time and again for their expertise in matters ranging from politics and policy to intricate questions of drafting and implementation. No unelected person played a larger, more intelligent and more constructive role in the expansion of our food and nutrition programs than she did. Never taking credit to herself…Josephine raised all of us to her level.”

1977, Senator George McGovern

“Over the past eight years, as Chairman of the Select Committee on Nutrition and Human Needs, I have watched with deep appreciation you commitment to feeding the hungry children of America…I know and I am certain the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry would agree-that without your efforts and wise counsel, we could not have improved and expanded the nation’s feeding programs to the point which they stand today.”

1977, Senator Hubert Humphrey

“You are a wonderful person, and this factor probably more than any other has contributed to your great effectiveness on the behalf of the nation’s children during your work in Washington…”

1990, Dr. Jay Caton, wrote The History of the American School Food Service Association

“Dr. John Perryman, the first executive director of ASFSA was the only individual with more references in the index of this history than Dr. Josephine Martin…her leadership within the SE states and ultimately the nation was founded on the clear understanding of the conditions of poverty and the resulting hunger in the South that limited school’s ability to educate their children”.

2015, Dr. Linda Kirk Fox, Dean of the College of Family and Consumer Science, University of Georgia

https://www.fcs.uga.edu/alumni/honor-hall-josephine-martin?fbclid=IwAR2Ff_nzijNvcG3O-P8I-XSBeqHTIMAP0Eb6B2EVcZJwv4ddBlv-zXBmzqA