Fay Jeannette Martin, 86
To view Fay’s memorial video, click here.
Fay Jeannette Martin, 86, of Kingsland, Georgia, a devoted servant of God, passed away peacefully Friday morning, August 18, 2023, with family and friends by her side. She was born on December 29, 1936, in Auburndale, Florida to the late Lewis Morgan Gay and Iona Granger Gay. Shortly after, the family moved back to the farm in Providence, Florida. Fay, always a leader, was in FHA in 9th and 12th grades, was Class Treasurer in 11th and 12th, Library Club 11th, Junior and Senior Play and was on the Annual Staff.
After graduating from Union County High School in 1954 she moved to Jacksonville, Florida and began her banking/accounting career, working in many capacities as she moved with her loving husband, John Warden Martin, as he followed his career with Chrysler Corporation; living in Jacksonville, FL where she worked in banking and mortgages, Washington, DC where she worked in government, Tallahassee, FL where she was proud to have served at Governor Reuben Askew’s inauguration reception at the Governor’s Mansion and attended the Governor’s Ball in 1971. Finally, she returned to Jacksonville and began employment with Stockton, Whatley, Davin and Company (SWD) on 4/10/1972, and attained Assistant Vice President with SWD 1/8/1986. SWD merged with Bank of Boston 1/1/1988, where she retired on July 1, 1992, after 20+ years of service.
Fay faithfully served her church throughout her life, with long periods of service at Arlington Christian Church in Jacksonville, First Christian Church in Ocala, and Kingsland First Methodist Church. She sang in the church choir when she was younger, held various offices and almost continuously served as a Sunday School class leader.
Fay was preceded in death by her husband of 42 years, John Warden Martin; her step-daughter, Judy Williams; her sisters, Velma Lowe, Frances Boyd, Lois Brown, Ethel Ogburn, Offie Lee Gay, and Katherine Gay Patterson; and her brothers, Ray Gay, J.E. Gay, Drew (Brittain) Gay, and James Coker.
She is survived by many nieces and nephews. Included are those who have maintained a mother/child relationship with her: Ella and Tom Turner, Sharon and Jonathan Kraus, Rheta and Fred Dubberly; a life-long friend Nolan Dobbs; and a large extended family.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made either by mailing or electronic submission to:
Kingsland First Methodist Church, 120 East William Avenue, Kingsland, GA 31548, https://www.kingslandfmc.org/giving/ “In Memory of Fay Martin”. Donations in her memory will go towards the Sanctuary Project.
Funeral Service will be held at Kingsland First Methodist Church on Wednesday, August 23, 2023, with visitation at 10:00 am and the service at 11:00 am.
Burial Service will be held at Russell Haven of Rest Cemetery, 2335 Sandridge Road, Green Cove Springs, FL 32043 at 2:00 pm.
Arrangements are under the care of Russell Haven of Rest Cemetery, Funeral Home and Cremation Center, 2335 Sandridge Road, Green Cove Springs, FL 32043. Family and friends may share their condolences at: www.RHRFH.com 904-284-7720