Marty Lynn Overton, born to Mary Neil and Marcial Overton, was born on August 29, 1956. He was the youngest of five children. When he was two years old, Marty was diagnosed with diabetes, Type 1. When Marty was 10, he and his family (Mom, Dad, Danny and dog Mitzi) moved from Brownsville, TN to Brooksville, FL. Marty was 13 years old when his brother, Danny, died in Vietnam. Marty lived in Brooksville until 1993 when Mom and Dad move to Whiteville, TN and Marty moved in with his sister and brother-in-law, (Kaye and Jim) to be closer to golf courses and to work. He loved playing golf from an early age and worked at courses all of his life. He was proud to have made a hole in one in 2001. Marty lost his first leg in 2006 and his other leg in 2016. Throughout his diabetic life and even thru the loss of losing two legs, nothing stopped him from living his life to the fullest. He loved sports (watching and playing). He had an enormous amount of good friends and a sense of humor that always over showered any pain. He recalls in 1983, his baseball team, along with his help, won the championship. He never wanted anyone to feel sorry for him and he thanked God every day for giving him another day. Throughout his adult life, he remained a big sports fan and an avid Tampa Bay Bucs fan. He played baseball well into his 50’s. While living in Tennessee, Marty would take off a month during the off season at the golf course and go to Florida to visit his friends. During these visits, other friends who lived nearby and out of state, would hear that Marty was going to be in town and travel to see him. This was the beginning of the “Marty Party”. He always looked forward to seeing his friends and this party continued even when he moved back to Florida in 2011. Marty met his soulmate, Laura Mariani and moved back to Florida. Laura is a nurse and has always taken such good care of him. While the family missed seeing Marty on a daily basis, they were thankful for Laura and grateful for her good care. For many years, Marty would grow his hair out to ponytail stage, have it cut off and donated to “Locks of Love”. When asked what his wishes were, Marty replied, #1…. cut my hair off to give to Locks of Love, #2…. all my old legs given to those who can’t afford them, #3…. the Bucs cap can make the trip with me….and, so it shall be! Marty is preceded in death by his parents, Mary Neil and Marcial Overton; two brothers Danny Overton and Larry Overton; two brothers-in-law, James Cowan and Jim Baum. Marty leaves his soulmate, Laura and his two Cairn Terriers, Mitzi and Molly; two sisters, Roselyn Cowan of Whiteville, TN and Kaye Baum of Collierville, TN. He also leaves many nieces and nephews, grand nieces and nephews, all of whom considered Marty their “cool Uncle”. Funeral Services will be conducted at 3:00 P.M., Sunday, December 19, 2021, in the Lea & Simmons Funeral Home in Brownsville, TN, with burial to follow in the Brownsville Memorial Gardens. Visitation will be Sunday, December 19, 2021 from 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM in the Lea & Simmons Funeral Home. The family request in lieu of flowers, memorials be made to The American Diabetes Association, 220 Great Circle Rd, Suite 134, Nashville, TN 37228. All arrangements and services will be under the direction of Lea & Simmons Funeral Home in Brownsville, TN.
