Eddie Lee Martin

Eddie Lee Martin was born October 22, 1932 in Lochloosa, FL to the late Zack Martin, Sr. and Dolly Slater. He attended school and church in Lochloosa until his mother's death in 1944. He then moved to Hawthorne, FL at age 11 to live with his grandparents. He then attended Shell school up to the sixth grade. He left school to work to help support his family. Eddie was baptized at an early age and a member of Galilee Missionary Baptist Church for many years. He was a Deacon of the church and served as the Chairman of the Deacon Ministry, Men's class Sunday school teacher and a Trustee. He worked various jobs such as the orange groves, the celery farm, and turpentine fields until he began working for the City of Gainesville in 1954. He worked as a garbage truck driver and then he moved over to the streets division. He retired from the City of Gainesville Public Works Department after 30 years of service. He also worked for Chestnut Funeral Home for 50 plus years. He was a part of Hawthorne Volunteer Fire Department starting in 1969 where he served for 15 years. He advanced to the position of Captain before leaving. He was the first black to serve as a volunteer firefighter for Hawthorne. Eddie served on Hawthorne City Commission for 32 years. He served 11 years as President of the Commission, 3 terms as Mayor of Hawthorne and 5 terms as Vice-Mayor. While on the commission he played a major role in bringing in the fire station, water and wastewater system expansion, street lighting and paving, the library and new school building. He retired from the Commission in 2006. He is the only commissioner to serve long enough to retire. He served on the North Florida Regional Planning Council for 40 years. He was the first black to serve on the council along with Mr. L. J. Scott. He was appointed by several Governors to the council. During his time on the council he served as the Chairman for two terms, VP and Secretary-Treasurer for three terms, and he served on the Finance, Nominating and Program Committees. He also was a member of the Masonic Lodge from 1958 until the 1980s. Eddie served on the Alachua County Coordinated Child Care (A4Cs) Board of Directors. He was a member of Hawthorne Loins Club since 1975 and he served on the Florida League of Cities for 30 years and the Board of Directors for four years. He received the Florida Cities of Excellence Award in 2004. This was the first time the League had given this award. He loved spending time with his family, reading his newspaper, and going to church. Eddie was united in Holy Matrimony to Ovella Harris Martin on February 16, 1957. They were married for 57 years until she preceded him in death. He was also preceded in death by eight of his nine brothers: Clarence Slater, James Hart, Burnis Brown, Zack Martin, Jr., Eugene Martin, David Martin, James "JD" Martin, and Joseph "Joe" Martin and two sisters: Eartha Mae James and Lorraine Joyner and his great-granddaughter Latravis Takyla Long. Eddie Lee Martin departed this life on May 26, 2021 at North Florida Regional Hospital. He leaves to cherish his memories: one son Randy Martin, Hawthorne, FL; two daughters: Kersandras Hightower (Desi), High Springs, FL and Carole Martin-Long (Rodney), Gainesville, FL; three grandsons: Terry Robinson, High Springs, FL, Steven Long (Shakirah) and Julius Long, both of Gainesville; nine great-grandchildren: Nyla, Tymarian, Josiah, Saniya, Javeon, Steven, Soloman, Terryn, and Kamryn; five step grandchildren: Uhurasasa "Neki" Long, Jasmine Hightower, Christopher Hightower, Arnelle Wright and Bakari "Doc" Burnett; one brother: James "Jim" Martin (Pansy), Conyers, GA.; six sisters: Viola Jerry, Miami Gardens, FL, Ruth Haddock (Hamp), Hialeah, FL, Allean Stovall, Winchester, VA, Bertha Wise, Lilburn, GA, Gloria Mann, West Palm Beach, FL, and Ola Mae Bryant, Orangeburg, SC; three brothers-in-law; John Harris (Rosa), Hawthorne, James Harris(Johnnie Mae), Tampa, Lonnie Harris Jr, Gainesville, and three sisters-in-law; Daisy Morris, Sparr, Alice Small, Hawthorne, Irish Jenkins, Hawthorne and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and sorrowing friends.

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Eddie Lee Martin

October 22, 1932 - May 26, 2021