Raymond "Sunshine" Garciel Martin

Services will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family requests monetary donations to Life Church.

• Keep reading for one last Raymond joke

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Surviving family members:

Raymond is survived by his wife Diane and countless family and friends.

Sons Steve (Georgia) of Kentucky, Keith (Andrea) of Alabama, six grandchildren and many great grandchildren.

One of 11 children, he is survived by sisters Doris Griffin of Greenville, SC and Josephine Snipes of Stuart, FL. Brother Ronald Martin of Nobleville, Indiana.

Loved by many nieces and nephews, some of whom referred to him as Uncle Daddy.

Preceded in death by:

First wife Irma Jean Martin, son Kevin Martin of Waynesville, NC, parents Oscar Houston and Lessie Ming Martin of West Palm Beach, FL, and brothers and sisters.

Diane’s surviving family:

Sister-in-law Suzanne Fender of Waynesville, NC, brother-in-law Jerry Birket (Barbara) of Orlando, FL.

Diane’s children who loved him as a father: Daughter Wendy Collins (Gary) of Waynesville, NC, son John Gibbs (Debbie) of Milliken, CO, son David Gibbs (Laurie) of Brooksville, FL, numerous grandchildren.

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OUR MEMORIES:

Raymond was a member of Life Church of Waynesville for many years and a faithful servant of God. Raymond loved Jesus and His church. He was mowing the church lawn until six months ago. He was faithful to the end and knew heaven was his forever home. His faith was evidenced by his great care for others, lovingly speaking to each person he met. The hardest part of his illness was not being able to worship with the Body of Christ. In his final days, he was singing hymns and smiling as hymns were sung to him as he worshiped and prepared to see Jesus.

Harmonica playing was his gift. He played hymns in everyday life, but was famous for calling family and friends on their birthdays and playing “Happy Birthday” to them on the harmonica. This act of love will be missed.

Raymond loved Diane and served her coffee each morning. Their love song was “Unchained Melody” which he sang to her every day. He would prepare the coffee pot every night so it was ready in the morning. He loved cleaning the house and working in the yard – and when he cleaned, it was clean!

He always looked forward to the third Saturday breakfast with his buddies at Country Vittles. He had a list he would call to remind them about breakfast. He LOVED his friends. The Ace Hardware guys nicknamed him “Sunshine” not only because he brought sunshine everywhere he went, but because his legs were so white when he wore shorts. He would take his invisible dog with him to Ace to see people’s responses.

He was known for his quick wit, always having a joke to tell. Family and friends have continued to share jokes he told them. Laughter was a mainstay in the household. Many have wondered if he had a serious bone in his body, but he loved people deeply.

Military Service: Army, El Paso, Texas

Retired after 32 years of service from Florida Power & Light Fort Myers, FL before moving to Waynesville, NC. He was a co-worker who was loved and stayed in contact with many until the end. Jokes and pranks were a daily occurrence.

The family would like to take this moment to thank Suzanne Fender, his sister-in-law, for her great care for him and Diane, especially in recent years. She has cooked, driven to doctors’ appointments, done all the shopping, kept track of medicines, so many things that cannot be listed. Suzanne, you are deeply loved and appreciated.

A JOKE FOR YOU TO END:

An 80-year-old woman was arrested for shoplifting. When she went before the judge, he asked her: What did you steal? She replied: A can of peaches. The judge asked her why she had stolen them and she replied that she was hungry. The judge then asked her how many peaches were in the can. She said she stole six. The judge said: I will give you six days in jail. Before the judge could actually pronounce the punishment, the woman’s husband spoke up and asked the judge if he could say something. He said: What is it? The husband said: She also stole a can of peas. Get it?

Thank you, friends and family, for your kind and loving support during this time of grief and celebration. Raymond’s Family