Sarah Jean Martin

A Tampa native, Sarah grew up in Seminole Heights and graduated from Hillsborough High School in 1952. After receiving her bachelor's degree from the University of Tampa in 1956, Sarah was a vocational educator in Hillsborough County for 32 years, teaching home economics and life management skills at Turkey Creek, Memorial, and Middleton junior high schools. She was a member of Highland United Methodist Church.

Sarah was preceded in death by her husband, John Thomas "Tommy" Martin, her parents, Talva L. Strange and Jewell Youngblood Strange, and a brother, Talva Jr.

She is survived by her son, John Talva Martin, his wife, Mary Angelo, and granddaughters Sarah K. Martin and Julia N. Martin.

A visitation will be held on Sunday, August 2, 2026 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Blount & Curry Terrace Oaks Chapel at 12690 N. 56th St. in Temple Terrace.

A subsequent visitation will be held on Friday, August 7, 2026 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Tomlinson Funeral Home at 718 S. Main Street in Swainsboro, Ga. A private burial will follow at the Ebenezer Methodist Church Cemetery outside Swainsboro.

Sarah was a loving mother and grandmother, a wonderful cook and cake baker, and a devoted caregiver.

In later years, nothing gave Sarah greater joy than doting on her granddaughters and making annual trips to the Georgia county where her parents were born and raised, where she had an extended network of cousins whom she loved like siblings.

The family would like to express their gratitude to the Solaris Health Care nurses and staff for their compassionate care of Sarah over the past four years.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made in Sarah's memory to the Reubin Thompson Memorial Foundation, c/o Susan Middleton, president, 1175 N Beachview Dr., Jekyll Island, GA 31527.

Donations will go toward the preservation and upkeep of the historic Ebenezer church, grounds, and the cemetery where Sarah will be interred.