Robert Ray Martin, 98, of Sheffield, passed away Thursday, July 26, 2018, with family by his side. There will be a private family graveside at Oakwood Cemetery, Sheffield. He will be buried next to his beloved wife of 68 years, Sadie Mae Littlepage Martin.
Mr. Martin was born in Tishomingo, Mississippi and a native of Red Bay. Shortly after graduating from Red Bay High School, he enlisted with the Army/Air Force in 1941.
He proceeded to actively fight for our nation in World War II. Mr. Martin participated in three overseas missions as a tail-gunner and served as a drill instructor at Eglin Air Force Base. He rose to the rank of staff sergeant. Mr. Martin worked for Union Carbide for 40-plus years as the Operations Manager. He was a member of the Sheffield First United Methodist Church for the past 70 years. Most importantly, Mr. Martin loved The Lord with all his heart, soul, mind and strength…as well as his neighbors. He loved to cook, hunt and spend time with his grandchildren. He was affectingly known by his grandchildren as “Frosty.”
He is preceded in death by his wife, Sadie Mae Littlepage Martin; and sisters, Paula M. Taylor of Birmingham and Lavelle M. Butler, of Baltimore, Maryland; and brother, William M. Martin of Florence.
Survivors include sister, LuRue M. Thigpen of Richmond, Virginia; sons, Robert Ray “Bob” Martin Jr. and wife Ann Marie of Birmingham and Thomas Littlepage Martin and wife Beverly of Sheffield; grandchildren, Katie, Tommy and Page Martin, Courtney Martin Gilley and husband Lee and his first great-grandchild due in January, 2019.
Honorary pallbearers will be Gordon Thigpen, Martin Thigpen, Thomas Pritchett III, Scott Pritchett, Wesley Slay, Kirk Wallace, Steve Price, Bobby Rutledge and Jim Pride.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the First United Methodist Church of Sheffield Youth Missions Fund.
