Marty Irving Hepburn Sr.

Marty Irving Hepburn, Sr. defeated Multiple Myeloma and was welcomed to his heavenly home Sunday morning, August 6, 2023, after battling this blood cancer for more than twenty years.

He was born on October 27, 1952 in Mecklenburg, VA. His family moved to Petersburg, VA during his early teens. He graduated from Petersburg High School and furthered his education at Virginia State University, where he earned the Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration. Marty moved to New Jersey and secured his first professional position as the accountant with the Urban League of Union County in Elizabeth, NJ. As his real world knowledge of Finance grew, he moved on to a position as an Internal Control Auditor with Exxon Corporation/Exxon Office Systems in Florham Park, NJ. He later accepted a position with AT&T, in Murray Hill, NJ and transferred to several positions in management relocating him from NJ to Reston and Oakton, VA to Alpharetta, GA and ultimately to AT&T/Lucent Technologies in McLeansville, NC. Marty retired from Lucent and moved to a position at Charter Medical in Winston Salem, NC as Assistant Controller. He was diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma, and he retired prematurely from Charter Medical due to the complications he experienced with that dreadful cancer.

Marty was a self-made handyman and could design, build and/or repair just about anything. If anything needed to be built, Marty could build it. If it was broken, Marty could fix it. Anything - from building/repairing furniture, helping Jasmine with her crafts, Marty Jr with his home gym, to mending/ironing clothes, Marty could just work things out. Even restoring old computers. But being outdoors was his passion. Lawn or yard work was his favorite pastime, as he kept a manicured lawn and yard as long as Cheryl didn’t interfere with her random placement of flowering bushes and hostas. Marty also loved the beach even though in recent years, we were not able to go as often, he was able to go this year, for one night, in mid July.

He was a humble and reserved man with more knowledge than he ever shared, unless he was asked. He loved helping others and willingly shared his handyman talents with whomever needed quality work. He never expected payment for more than supplies needed for the job. Helping others brought him joy and whatever he did, was done with honesty, integrity and kindness. Many have said this world was a better place with Marty in it.

Marty was preceded in death by his parents Spencer Hepburn, Sr and Fannie Hepburn-Powell; and his nephew, Spencer Hepburn III.

Survivors include his devoted wife of 38 years, Cheryl Lucas Hepburn; beloved children Jasmine Chyrel Hepburn, of Raleigh, NC and Marty Irving Hepburn Jr, Greensboro, NC; three sisters, Enid Baskerville Lindsay of Richmond, VA; Carolyn Hepburn White (James) of Elkton, MD; Phyllis Hepburn Parker, of Langhorne, PA; Spencer Hepburn, Jr. ( Clara) of Dinwiddie, VA. Marty loved his nieces and nephews dearly: Erwin Baskerville, Erika Baskerville Harrington, Eugene Parker (Angela), Patrick Parker, Spencer Hepburn III (predeceased), Jessica R. White, Tashia Parker Tucker (Micheal), and Nicole White. In addition, Marty had many cousins and great nephews and nieces whom he also loved dearly; Close and dear friend, Byron Travis (Brenda); Special cousins Shirley Medley Hill, Bruce Lewis (Carolene); dear friends Ms. Lossie Barnes; Joe Bennett (Florence); Jim Slagle (Susan); Retired Colonel Ronald Murphy; Joe Bennett (Florence); Herschel Cornett (Sandy) and Taylor Darden.

The family wishes to extend our sincere thanks to our dear friend, Dr. Peter Ennever and his entire oncology support team that cared for Marty during his battle with Myeloma for more than 20 years, Dr. Kimberly Shelton, Authoracare Hospice Home in Burlington, NC and Presbyterian Church of the Cross, Greensboro, NC and many family members and friends around the world.