Dr. Charles Martin
Obituary: Charles L. Martin, Jr.
Dr. Charles Leander Martin, beloved pastor, missionary, and denominational leader passed
away peacefully Saturday, March 8. He was 85. Born in Fort Payne Alabama, he served his
country with honor in World War II, receiving the distinguished service cross for his role
as chief navigator and bombardier on a B-29 Superfortress, stationed on the Pacific island
of Tinian.
The war was the turning point in Dr. Martin’s life when he felt God’s call to
enter full-time ministry. After the war, he returned to Alabama where he received a
bachelor’s degree from Howard University and married the love of his life, Anne
Crittendon. He served as pastor of Smithfield Baptist Church in Smithfield, Kentucky,
while he earned a master’s degree at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in
Louisville.
After graduation at Southern, he returned to North Alabama to pastor the First Baptist
Church of Oxford for four years. The Martins left Oxford for Tokyo, Japan, where they
served as Southern Baptist missionaries for six years, working primarily with college
students. When family needs dictated a return to Alabama, Dr. Martin took the position of
pastor at Parker Memorial Baptist Church in Anniston, where he served more than fourteen
years.
During his tenure at both FBC Oxford and Parker Memorial, the churches experienced
tremendous growth and loving fellowship. While in Anniston, Dr. Martin was granted an
honorary doctorate from Judson College for his community and denominational leadership.
In 1977, Dr. Martin accepted the call to serve as director of student ministry for the
Alabama Baptist State Convention, where he served until his retirement in 1988. He
remained active in ministry following his retirement, serving as director of the
International English School for the Montgomery Baptist Association and as volunteer
chaplain at Baptist Medical Center in Montgomery.
Following the death of his wife Anne in 2001, Dr. Martin returned to Anniston where he
served as pastor emeritus at Parker Memorial, and as volunteer chaplain at Regional
Medical Center. He leaves behind three children: daughter Libby Martin Torbush of
Atlanta, daughter Pat Martin Bohannon, of Elizabethtown, Kentucky, and son, Dr. Chuck
Martin of Dallas, Texas; also grandchildren Amy and Zachary Bohannon of Elizabethtown
Kentucky, and Walker and Emily Martin of Dallas. He is also survived by his brother John
Martin of Auburn, sister Virginia Brown of Birmingham, and numerous nieces and nephews. He
was preceded in death by his brother Edward “Coach” Martin of Louisville and his
sister Myrt Land of Auburn.
Dr. Martin will best be remembered for his warmth and love for people, and a legacy of
serving others as he would Christ.
Dr. Martin's funeral was held at Parker Memorial Baptist Church in Anniston March 12,
2008.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to:
Restoring God’s House Fund
Parker Memorial Baptist Church
P.O. Box 2104
Anniston, AL 36202
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