Roy Franklin Martin

Roy Franklin Martin of Woodbury, TN died December 27th at Saint Thomas Hospital, Murfreesboro, TN.

Roy was 88. Roy was born April 25^th, 1926 in Shady Grove, TN. He was the fifth of ten children born to Fred and Alta (Morris) Martin. Roy moved from Shady Grove to Muncie, IN in 1946. Roy began a career with Borg Warner Corporation in Muncie in 1947 and worked in several departments within the plant.

Roy met his wife, Opal (Witty), in 1949 in Muncie. Coincidentally, they found that they were from the same area of Tennessee and shared many of the same acquaintances . Opal is from Warren County. They instantly found much in common and were married January 21^st, 1950. Two years after being married, Roy was called to active duty. From 1952 to 1954, Roy served his country in the Korean War. After coming home from the war, Roy and Opal had sons, Gary and Roger, and a daughter, Debbie. While continuing to work at Borg Warner, Roy, Opal, and family owned and operated Martin Hunting Preserve in Muncie, IN from 1966 to 1977. Roy also had a kennel of champion hunting dogs at his hunting preserve. He was well known in the area at that time for raising and training champion bird dogs.

Roy retired from Borg Warner in 1977 and moved to Cannon County in 1978. His lifelong dream was to have a cattle farm near his hometown. From 1978 to 2006, Roy bought, raised, and sold cattle from his farm in Woodbury, TN. Other than enjoying a hard day's work, Roy loved both hunting and fishing. Roy hunted and fished as long as he could walk the fields or get in a boat. In his late years, Roy enjoyed driving his four wheeler and golf cart over his prized farm to watch the cows and enjoy the scenery. Roy lived at home on his farm in Woodbury with his beloved wife of nearly 65 years, Opal, until a few weeks before his death. He was a member of Sunny Hills Baptist Church. He loved people and enjoyed making good conversation. There is no doubt that he truly lived a full and blessed life!

Recently, his daughter, Debbie Barnes, and her husband, Larry, moved from Jackson, TN to Woodbury to live near Roy and his wife, Opal. Roger, his youngest son, and Roger's son, Austin, live nearby also. Roger's oldest son, Douglas, resides in Cookeville, TN. Roy's oldest son, Gary, and wife, Lori, reside in Columbia, TN with their two children, Price and Lily. Roy is also survived by his brothers, William Martin (Muncie, IN), and Charles Martin (Summitville, TN) and by his sister, Edna Hurdle (Muncie, IN). He was preceded in death by his siblings: Harry Martin, Anna Mae Neely, Paul Martin, Joe Martin, Mary Sue Hulan and his daughter in law, Rhonda Martin. Roy will be laid to rest at Shady Grove Cemetery. Pall bearers are nephews: Kenneth Hulan (Bon Aqua, TN); Shawn and Shannon Martin (Summittvillle, TN); Steven Martin (Mt. Juliet, TN); Joey Martin (Mt. Juliet, TN); and Philip Martin, Jr. (Manchester, TN)

Funeral services are at 1 PM Thursday, January 1, 2015 at the Chapel of Woodbury Funeral Home with Bro. John Jones & Bro. Ray Patrick officiating. Interment will follow at Shady Grove Cemetery in Coffee County. Visitation with the family will be from 5 to 8 PM Wednesday, December 31, 2014.