Herbert Leroy (Lee) Martin, 78, of Franklin, Tennessee, and formerly of Martinsville, passed away Monday, July 8, 2024. He was born in West Virginia, March 5, 1946 to the late George Lemley Martin and Goldie Handy Martin. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by one daughter-in-law, Pattie Coe Martin and one granddaughter, Kasey Martin; they were the wife and daughter of Christopher.
He is survived by his wife, Brenda Joyce Martin; two sons, Christopher L. Martin and Jason Lee Martin (Abby); two granddaughters, Clara Grace and Ivy Beth Martin (Jason’s daughters); sister, Brenda M. Bollings and brothers, Fred and Paul Martin.
Lee loved Jesus. He loved his wife. He loved his sons. He loved his grandchildren. He loved his parents and his siblings and all of their children. He loved sports. And he loved two cats, Sherlock and Molly. And all of them loved him back.
He graduated from Martinsville High School and was primarily employed as a purchasing agent by Pannill Knitting Company while in Martinsville.
Herbert (Lee) loved and followed Jesus Christ and spent many years as an active member of Wesley Memorial United Methodist Church, leading Sunday school classes there and in Winston-Salem, North Carolina for 16 years. He worked for several companies following acquisitions, finally retiring as a senior buyer at Fruit of the Loom headquarters in Bowling Green, Kentucky.
He was also a longtime baseball and softball umpire and basketball referee at several levels, including high school and American Legion. Lee found great joy in doing it as a side job and became well known for it in Martinsville. He also spent time coaching youth sports in soccer, baseball, and basketball and attending Virginia Cavaliers football games.
A funeral service will be held Wednesday, July 17th at 12:00 PM at McKee-Stone Funeral Home in Martinsville, with a visitation at 11 AM prior to the service.
Interment will follow the service at Roselawn Burial Park in Martinsville.
In lieu of flowers, the family wishes for donations to be made to the giver’s charity of choice in Lee’s name.
McKee-Stone Funeral Home, Martinsville, Va. is serving the family. To express condolences on line, please visit wwwcollinsmckeestonemartinsville.com
