Johnnie

Martin

Obit

Johnnie Lee Martin was born on August 4, 1932, in Rimini, South Carolina, to the late Paul Boatman Martin, Sr. and Virginia Fairey-Martin.

He was the Fifth born of Eight siblings. He was preceded in death, by siblings Mattie M. James, Thelma White, Paul Boatman, Jr., Willie Chester Martin, Henry Pontell Martin, Sr., and Carroll Martin.

Johnnie grew up in a Christian Home; he and his family were members of Antioch AME Church in Rimini, South Carolina. He educated in the public school system of Sumter County, South Carolina. Johnnie had fond memories of going fishing with his brother Chester and working beside him on the family farm. Their mother Virginia would have a Fish Fry celebration in the yard by cooking what he and his brother caught.

Johnnie served in the United States Army in the Korean War and rose to the Rank of Master Drill Sergeant. While in combat his entire Troop was ambushed and killed. Johnnie dived under water and swam to safety while being shot at. He survived for (3) days alone in the Korean Jungle until reconnecting with U.S. Forces. For his service in the United States Army, Johnnie was awarded the Korean Service Medal with (2) Bronze Stars, United Nations Service Medal, Combat Infantryman Badge, and National Defense Service Medal. He separated from the U.S. Army on November 27, 1953, receiving an Honorable Discharge.

Johnnie returned to his home in Rimini, SC but shortly announced to his family that he did not want the spend the rest of his life working on the farm. Johnnie flagged down the next Train going North which was the way to catch a train in those days in South Carolina, straight to New York City. Upon his arrival he resided in Brooklyn with his 1 ^st cousin Mattie Bell Fairey-Wynn.

Johnnie got a job at the hospital where Mattie's sister Daisy Evelyn Murdock worked where he met and married the late Mildred Martin. Prior to marrying they dated going out to dances at the Savoy Ballroom, Cotton Club and seeing shows at the Apollo Theater in Harlem. They were married on July 10, 1955, at People's Institutional AME Church in Brooklyn, New York. They had four children from this union, three daughters Karen, Kathy, Denise, and one son Derek.

Johnnie soon got a position as a Conductor then promoted to Motorman driving a Train with the New York City Transit Authority. In addition, he drove a New York City Cab on the side to support his family. Johnnie and Mildred purchased a house and moved their family to Englewood New Jersey in the early 70's. After over (35) years of service Johnnie retired as Yardmaster with the New York City Transit Authority. He continued to reside in Englewood New Jersey and enjoyed over (20) years of retirement. Johnnie was always willing and able to assist his family.

He was a longtime member of the Veteran of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post of Englewood, New Jersey where he held various positions. Johnnie was very active, living independently, and still driving himself up until his illness in April of 2021. While in the hospital, Johnnie shared with his daughter Kathy that he had accepted Christ and would be going to be with the Lord. In addition to enjoying spending his time at the VFW Post, he enjoyed simple things like picking up his paper and cooking his own breakfast every morning, going to his locate Shoprite in Englewood, playing the Picket and going to Casinos.

Johnnie Martin was a devoted husband, father, brother, and uncle who passed away peacefully on Monday, August 2, 2021, two days short of his birthday, August 4th. He leaves to cherish his memory his four adult children, Karen Martin of River Edge, New Jersey, Kathy Martin of Hackensack, New Jersey, Denise Martin of Little Ferry, New Jersey and Derek Martin of River Edge, New Jersey. His sister, Virginia Martin-Fulmore and Brother In-Law Samuel Fulmore of Lake City, South Carolina, Goddaughter/Niece Jeanine Wilson of Upper Marlboro, Maryland, and a host of nephews, nieces, extended family, lodge members, friends, and neighbors