George Arthur Martin was born in Donora, PA to the late Gladys Helen Webb and Lawrence Edward Martin on June 11th, 1956. He attended Francis Lewis High School, where he fell in love with the art of basketball and later connected with who would become his lifelong brothers; The Original Jamaica Globetrotter Basketball team. As fate would have it many of them would reunite for a blessed reunion in GA.
George and Yolanda relocated to Georgia from Queens, NY in 1985 and their union would last 44 yrs. welcoming their beautiful Daughter Joycée Martin into this world! George secured employment @ JB Hunt transport as Diesel Technician; As a tenured employee it afforded him numerous awards naming him employee of the month multiple times. His employment with JB Hunt continued until his untimely heart attack; leading to permanent disability.
George was filled with faith. He was a testament to the power of a positive attitude. He valiantly and stoically endured many health challenges so that he could provide love, protection, and direction for his wife Yolanda Martin, their daughter Joycee and granddaughter Journey. We would be remiss not to mention his deep love, pride and affection for his two sons, George and Darryl Rivera.
After the loss of his mother at 12 yrs young and his father at 13, George became fiercely independent and God reliant. Shortly after the loss of his parents; he was blessed to have gained a bonus mother, Earnestine “Tina” Martin who he cherished and loved as his very own mother in his heart.
Preceding him in Death; his Mother; Gladys Martin, Father; Lawrence Edward Martin, His bonus Mother, Ernestine “Tina” Martin, his Brother Albert Martin; Jr, his sister Theresa Buchanan, his Aunt Marcella Lassiter; his niece Tolonia Buchanan and A special bonus brother and a mentor; Dave Hargrave.
George leaves to cherish his memories; his wife Yolanda Martin, daughter Joycée Martin, his sons George Rivera (Amber), Daryl Rivera (Jessica), Grandchildren, Journey Martin, Dakota Iohr, Isaac Rivera, Ivan Rivera, Asiah Jasper, Dahmir Rivera, Nyah Blalock, Darien Blalock, Selene Rivera, Amina Rivera, Sianna Rivera; His sisters; Robin Martin, Patricia Johnson (Barkim), Michelle True Portalatin (Gary), Brother Lawrence Martin, very special Nieces; Tonika Buchannan, Tyra Buchannan, Tamera Buchannan, Nassia Buchannan, and special nephews Edward Buchannan, Malik Buchannan, A very special Brotherhood in the Original Jamaica, Globetrotters; a life long bonus daughter, Sarah Keith, and a host of nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.
A visitation for George will be held Friday, May 10, 2024 from 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM at Roswell Funeral Home, 950 Mansell Road, Roswell, GA 30076. A funeral service will occur Saturday, May 11, 2024 from 11:00 AM to 12:30 PM at Hopewell Missionary Baptist Church, Norcross, 182 Hunter St NW, Norcross, GA 30071. A committal service will occur Saturday, May 11, 2024 from 3:00 PM to 3:30 PM at Green Lawn Cemetery & Mausoleum, 950 Mansell Rd, Roswell, GA 30076.
