George E. Martin, Jr.

Our beloved George E. Martin Jr transitioned peacefully from this life on Tuesday, December 21, 2021 at the blessed age of 96. George was born June 7, 1925 to the late George E. Martin Sr. and Sara Martin. He was preceded in death by his wife Edith Mae (Gatling) Martin and brother, Charles Martin (Hattie); sisters, Julia Bell (James), Tina Martin, and Anne Elliot (James). George was educated at Booker T. Washington High School, in Suffolk, VA. He was drafted into the US Navy at the age of 18 during WWII. He was assigned as a Steward’s Mate on the USS San Jacinto and after his service overseas, he was discharged in 1946. He married Edith Mae Gatling in 1950 and they moved to Washington, D.C. in 1958. During his time in DC, he was a truck driver for Walter Reed Army Medical Center for 35 years and a security officer for 2 years. After retiring, he moved back to Suffolk, VA and lived with his loving daughter, who cared for him for the past 16 years. He enjoyed being an active member of the VFW Post 2582, where they loved to hear him tell military stories about his service. George loved visiting with family and friends on many occasions. He especially liked going on various family trips with his nieces and nephews to places like Las Vegas, Tennessee, Delaware and New Orleans. When his family reflects on memories of George, they remember fondly of him teaching his son to draw, his love of babysitting the kids while his wife worked and how much fun they had, and how much he enjoyed eating crabs from Baltimore. He also is remembered by his nieces and nephews at the family cookouts, and his support for his family on special occasions! Most of all his love of ANYTHING pumpkin flavored (especially his love of pumpkin pie, coffee and pumpkin butter). George will be cherished by many, including his son Barry Martin, Sr; daughter Evelyn Ward (Carlos); two grandchildren, Shemeka Lewis and Barry Martin Jr.; seven great-grandchildren and a host of nieces and nephews. The legacy of George E. Martin Jr will continue to live in the hearts of his family! A public viewing will be held 12 noon - 7pm on December 27, 2021 in the Melvin J. Blowe Chapel. A graveside celebration will be held at 1:00 pm at Carver Memorial Cemetery. Rev. Raymond R. Barnes will deliver the message of comfort. Professional services with dignity have been entrusted to Crocker Funeral Home, Inc. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of George E. Martin, Jr., please visit our flower store.