Vernell Martin

Floyd “Vernell” Martin, 76, of Madison Heights passed away Friday July 3rd at The Elms of Lynchburg where he had lived since 2012. He was born in Lynchburg on October 14, 1938 and was the only child of the late Minnie Ferguson Martin and Floyd Benjamin Martin.

He is survived by his wife, Patricia Fifer Martin, who resides at Autumn Care in Altavista. They were married for over forty years and lived together in the home they built in Elon in 1976. Vernell is also survived by his daughter, Rhonda Martin Costa and her husband Darrell of Lynchburg, one grandson, Michael Costa of Plainville, Massachusetts and one granddaughter, Lyndsey Costa of Blacksburg.

Vernell graduated from E.C. Glass High School in 1956 where he was the Captain of the Basketball team his senior year under Coach Jimmy Bryan. He continued his love of basketball, on a full scholarship, at Hampden Sydney College where he also played Baseball. He graduated from Hampden Sydney in 1960 and remained an avid supporter of the college following his graduation. He loved all sports and preferred to attend in person but if not possible he watched on television. He could talk in great depth about any team or players from collegiate to the professionals.

Anyone who knew Vernell knew he loved music and that he could play most any song on the piano. He could read music but had the ability to play by ear what he heard. He was also quite the singer. He and friends played music together for many years and those gatherings were the makings of many special memories and many stories! He and others called his take along keyboard “the fun machine”. He also loved to play golf and yearly golf trips with his buddies resulted in many more memories and more stories! Many pictures were taken which document the good times had by all. Another love of his was reading. He loved all sports related books and it is hard to find a book about John F. Kennedy, Abraham Lincoln or Richard Nixon he had not read.

He retired from the Lynchburg Fire Department in 1991, as Commander Martin, after 25 years of service. His grandchildren called him Papa-Mar but this was usually followed by “he’s a fireman” and “can we go to the fire station?” The men and women he worked with became life-long friends and many visited him regularly. There was even a visit at the Elms from a fire truck and younger fire firefighters who wanted to show the old retired fire fighter all the new equipment they had. The family would like to express many thanks to all of them for their kindness and remembering one of their own. He talked about their visits for days.

The family would like to recognize several people who assisted Vernell over the last few years and helped make his final years special. They include special friends, James and Phyllis, who would take him weekly to visit his wife Pat in Altavista and who regularly brought him home cooked meals to The Elms. Many thanks from his family to the staff at The Elms who cared and spoiled him on a daily basis for the past three years. He loved each of you!

We would also like to thank Dr. Chad Hoyt for the care that he provided over many years but especially over the past few. He has a genuine sense of caring for his patients that is God given and is hard, if not impossible, to match. Gentle Shepherd Hospice continued the same level of caring in the final few months and was a source of strength for the family.

Visitation will be held at Whitten Timberlake from 6-8 pm on Wednesday, July 8th. A private graveside service will occur at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a contribution to The Fire Foundation 800 Madison St., Lynchburg, VA 24504 or the American Cancer Society.

Whitten Timberlake Chapel is serving the Martin family. To send condolences online, please visit www.whittentimberlake.com.