Dr. H.L. "Lindy" Martin

When Lindy was still a child, the family moved to the Pembroke, North Carolina area so that he and his siblings would have access to better educational opportunities – including Pembroke State College, where he graduated in 1953 with a B.A. in History.

While working during summers at Ridgecrest Baptist Assembly, Lindy met Sue Ellard from Birmingham, Alabama, who was a student at Auburn University. Lindy was hired as the Head Counselor of the Men's Resident Hall at Auburn University, where he earned his Master Degree in Education during that time.

On June 11, 1955, Lindy and Sue were married in Birmingham and continued to live in Auburn where Sue taught school. He earned a PhD in Higher Education Administration in 1978 from California Western University.

In 1957, Lindy begun his career in Birmingham at Samford University (at that time Howard College) where he was Director of Student Affairs, coached the Samford Golf Team, and would eventually serve as Dean of Student Services for 28 years.

Lindy was ordained to the Gospel Ministry by Berea Baptist Church, his home church in Pembroke, North Carolina at the request of Ten Mile Baptist Church, his first pastorate. He served as Pastor of both regular and interim pastorates at numerous Alabama Baptist churches for most of his adult life.

Lindy was also the Interim Pastor of the Homewood Cumberland Presbyterian Church. He served on The Alabama Baptist newspaper Board of Directors for eight years with the last year as Chairman.

Lindy was a charter member and former President of the Vestavia Hills Rotary Club with over 45 years of perfect attendance. He also helped start several other Clubs and also served at the District Level. He has received multiple recognitions as a Paul Harris Fellow of the Rotary International Foundation.

The passion and love of Lindy's American Indian heritage was shown by his frequent speaking, teaching, and advocacy for the Cherokee people, their history and culture. He was the Principal Chief of the Powhatan Indian Association in North Carolina and also served as Principal Chief of the tribe known at the time as the Cherokees of Jackson County in Northeast Alabama. He formed an organization called “We The Jury” which promoted the protection of a citizen's right to Trial by Jury and served as the Chairman and Editor. He later became a hospice chaplain with Amedisys Hospice care. Most recently, he served as Minister to Senior Adults at Mountain Brook Baptist Church.

Lindy is survived by his wife, Sue Ellard Martin; his six children, John Lindbergh Ellard Martin (Sally), Sue Ellin Martin-Curley, Lue Beth Papageorgiou (Dimitrios), LeighFran Martin Jones (Warren), David Douglas Martin (Nicole), and Daniel Christopher Charles Martin; and 12 grandchildren,

Drexel Martin, Alexandra Martin, Melanie Curley, Chris Curley, Mary Katie Papageorgiou, Ben Jones, Linley Jones Frye (George), Julian Martin, Isabella Martin, Ilse Martin, Hawkins Martin, and Zella Martin.

Lindy was preceded in death by his parents and his siblings, Mary, Carlee, Bertha, and Julian.

A Celebration of Life service will be held at Mountain Brook Baptist Church in Birmingham on Saturday, January 14, 2017 at 3 p.m., with visitation at 2 p.m. at the church.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the H. Lindy Martin Endowed Scholarship at Samford University, University Advancement, 800 Lakeshore Drive, Birmingham, AL 35229.