Laverne Faulkner Martin passed away on February 12, 2018. She leaves behind a legacy of laughter, cunning wit, and special times shared with family and friends. Mrs. Martin was known for her clever candor, caring attitude towards those in need of second chances, and great love of gardening. Those who knew her best held a deep appreciation for the whimsical way Laverne would quip with glancing thought, and then carry on as if nothing was any different. Raised in South Georgia, Laverne was the daughter of a share-crop farmer and a seamstress who both taught her how to work for what she had and to live with integrity. She met and married Rod Martin while living in Jacksonville, Florida, and her world opened to new possibilities and grand adventures. Mr. and Mrs. Martin enjoyed traveling together and raised their family in Douglas, Georgia. Mrs. Martin was an entrepreneur at heart. She loved remodeling buildings and starting new businesses. In her day Laverne owned rental houses, had the city’s first 24-hour gym, a beauty shop, tea room and restaurant, as well as kept her own private wood working shop where she built cabinetry and refurbished furniture. She was passionate about gardening and was often seen in her yard planting roses, lilies, hydrangeas, myrtles, and all sorts of other flowering plants. Laverne enjoyed her monthly bridge club, attending live concert performances of Rod Stewart, and traveling to meet with family and friends around the country. Grandchildren soon became her priority, which later gave way to traveling with them and Mr. Martin in an RV to various destinations. Mrs. Martin was a member of First Presbyterian Church, and taught Sunday School for several years. She was an avid reader and a tremendous cook.
Mrs. Martin was preceded in death by: her husband, Rodney E Martin; her parents: Lonnie and Odessa Faulkner; and her brothers: Thurston Faulkner, Gerald Faulkner, Dorman Faulkner, and Lamar Faulkner. She leaves behind her three children and their families, Kimberly Martin Pearce (daughter), Christian Emily Pearce and Amelia Grace Pearce; Jeffrey Faulkner Martin (son) and his wife Lisa Ray Martin, with their children Madison Ray Martin, Harper Lee Martin, Natalie Ruth Martin and Jackson Edward Martin; John DeWitt Martin II (son) and his daughter Bailey Ann Martin.
Services were held at First Presbyterian Church on Thursday, February 15, 2018 at 11 a.m. where Dr. J. Faulkner Martin officiated.
Graveside service followed at the Douglas City Cemetery pending conditions.