Stephen Ray Martin

St. John 6:40 And this is the will of Him that sent me "that everyone which seek the Son, and believeth on Him, may have everlasting life, and I will raise him up the last day."

Stephen Ray Martin, 59, born February 3, 1951, passed surrounded by angels and family May 11, 2010. Steve was very proud of his family and loved them dearly. He was a Godly man who loved the Lord and provided for his family as long as he could fight the battle. During his brief illness he always gave testimony to everyone with whom he came in contact, and he praised the Lord.

He retired from Tennessee Eastman Company with 31 years of service, and was currently employed by TDOT. He was a member of the Kingsport Masonic Lodge and served in the National Guard. He was on the team at TEC which received an award from President Bill Clinton for Dirt Reclamation, and was highly decorated, holding many certificates as a heavy-equipment operator. He was an accomplished mechanic, building race cars which he raced at various area dirt tracks.

He was preceded in death by his father, Kenneth Ray Martin; his paternal grandparents, Rollie and Willie Martin; and his maternal grandparents, Alonzo and Ethel Shelton.

Steve is survived by his loving wife of 39 years, Patricia Malone Martin, of the home; his daughter, Kimberly Collier and her husband, Brad, Kingsport, TN; grandchildren, Madison Rayann Martin, Raiden Collier, and Savannah Collier; precious mother, Vanas Robbins, Johnson City, TN; sisters, June M. Chapman and husband, Bill Galbraith, Manassas, VA, Valerie Swartz and husband, Gary, Gray, TN; brother, Michael Martin and wife, Cathy, Kingston, TN; several nieces , nephews, and grand-nieces, as well as cousins and friends.

Family and friends will be received at Buffalo Ridge Baptist Church from 4 - 7 p.m. on Thursday, May 13, 2010. Masonic services will be conducted at 7:00 by Kingsport Masonic Lodge #688 F & AM, with services conducted by Pastor Gene Lasley and Pastor Jody Jenkins to follow.

Military graveside rites by American Legion Posts 3/265 will be conducted on Friday at 1:00 p.m. at Washington County Memory Gardens. Serving as pallbearers will be Bobby Mottern, Kenny Miller, Tim Morgan, James Jones, John Martin, Warren Davis, Joe Moody, and Pete DeEcann. Honorary pallbearers are TDOT employees and the Earth Moving Crew at TEC.

Special thanks to Kingsport Hematology and especially to Misty Venett, RN, with Bristol Wellmont Hospice for all her love and care.

Memorial contributions may be made to Bristol Wellmont Hospice, 280 Steeles Road, Bristol, TN 37620.