Culley Ray Martin, 85, met his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on September 3, 2021. Culley was born on August 25, 1936, in Thaxton, Mississippi, to Volus and Helen Martin. He graduated from Thaxton High School in 1954 as class president and a member of the ROTC. He served in the Army Reserve from 1953 to 1959. In 1955, he moved to Memphis, Tennessee, working for Orgill Brothers, Frisco Railroad, and eventually joined the Memphis Fire Department in 1958. He had a successful 31-year career with the Memphis Fire Department, ultimately achieving the rank of fire chief. He retired in 1989.
In 1955, Culley married his high school sweetheart LaWanda Hudson. They had three children and were happily married for 58 years until her death in 2013. While their primary residence was in Memphis, they always maintained a small farm in various locations throughout North Mississippi. In 1981, they took up part-time residence in Harmontown, Mississippi, eventually settling there full-time in 1998. There he established Pioneer Acres Trailer Park, a getaway spot for people who enjoy recreation at Sardis Lake. He was able to fulfill his lifelong passions for fishing, hunting, gardening, and farm work in Harmontown. He was happiest on a tractor or with a chainsaw in his hands.
Culley was devoted to two things in his life: his Lord and his family. He and LaWanda were devoted members of Broadmoor Baptist Church (Waypoint Baptist Church) in Memphis since 1976. Even after their move to Harmontown, they continued to faithfully attend Sunday School and church service there, driving 80 miles every Sunday. Culley, better known as PePaw, was a loving father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. Culley was especially involved with his grandchildren. They cherish the memories of him riding them around on a tractor or a four-wheeler, teaching them how to fish and hunt, playing dominoes, and helping them learn how to ride a bike.
Culley is preceded in death by his wife Mary LaWanda Martin. He is also preceded in death by his parents, Volus and Helen Martin, and brothers Blois Martin, Hollis Martin, and Jackie Martin.
Culley is survived by daughters Donna Northcott and Lisa Martin, son David Barry Martin (Richell), granddaughters Amber Northcott (Jarek) and Lindsey Combs (Nick), grandsons Benjamin and Samuel Martin, great-granddaughters Raelynn and Willa Combs, sister Leota Cranford, and close companion Beverly Brewer.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Culley's honor can be sent to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.
The gathering of family and friends to celebrate Culley’s life will be at Memphis Funeral Home and Memorial Gardens, 3700 North Germantown Road, on Sunday, September 12th. Visitation will last from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. The service will begin at 2 p.m., with interment following in Memphis Funeral Home and Memorial Gardens.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.MemphisFuneralGermantownParkway.com for the Martin family.
