Samuel Lester Martin, Sr

Services for Samuel Lester Martin, Sr., 87 of Thomasville will be held at 11:00 am, Friday, November 29, 2013 at First United Methodist Church. Rev. Burns Willis and Rev. Ronnie Wills will officiate and interment will follow in Laurel Hill Cemetery. Mr. Martin passed away November 24 at The Suites Woodleaf. Born April 12, 1926 in Pine Park, he was the son of the late Newton Amos Martin and Maude Brewton Martin. He was married to Sarah Williams Martin who preceded him in death in 2006. The most important part of Mr. Martin's life was Church, Kiwanis, his beloved leader dogs, Chip, Murphy and Gabe and the Thomasville community. Mr. Martin retired from Sherwin Williams after 25 years of service; he was an active member of First United Methodist Church of Thomasville since 1940 serving as a Sunday School teacher, superintendent of Sunday school, usher and member of the board; and was a member of Kiwanis for over 50 years with perfect attendance and held several leadership roles with the local club, the Ga District and Kiwanis International. There is an award of excellence and scholarship in his name. He is a lifelong member of the Thomasville community where he was active with Thomasville High School, City Board of Education, Chamber of Commerce, Miss Thomasville Pageant and the Thomasville Rose Parade. He is survived by his children, Maj. Samuel Lester Les Martin, Jr. Retired of Bangkok, Thailand, Sandra Martin Smith of Quitman; stepchildren, Robert Hopkins and wife Kay, William Bill Hopkins and wife Evelyn and Gale Hopkins all of Thomasville; 5 grandchildren; 3 step grandchildren; 8 great-grandchildren and 1 step great grandchild; brother, Jack Martin and sister Ruth Martin Willett both of Thomasville and 4 nieces and 3 nephews. He is also survived by his beloved leader dog and companion Gabe. He was preceded in death by sister, Alice Martin Hamilton. Memorials may be made to First United Methodist Church of Thomasville, P.O. Box 975, Thomasville, Ga 31799 or, Kiwanis Club of Thomasville, P.O. Box 316, Thomasville, Ga 31799 or Leader Dogs for the Blind, P.O. Box 5000, Rochester, MI 48308-5000. The family will receive friends 5-7 Thursday, November 28, 2013 at Allen & Allen Funeral Home. Guests are invited to sign the online register at www.allenfh.com