Sr. Tom Martin

Mr. Thomas Neal "Tom" Martin, Sr., 87, of Statesville, passed away unexpectedly on Wednesday, July 30, 2014, at Gordon Hospice House. Mr. Martin was born in Iredell County on February 13, 1927, and was the son of the late Richard Alexander and Laura Mae Sloan Martin. He was a graduate of Harmony High School and on November 19, 1949, he married the former Mildred Sigmon, who survives. Mr. Martin was a veteran of the U.S. Army and served during WWII. He was a member of Providence UMC. He worked for many years with J.C. Penney Logistics before going into business for himself as owner/operator of Martin's One Stop Service. In addition to his parents, Mr. Martin was preceded in death by four brothers, Ralph Alexander, Rufus Frank, Richard Glenn, and Billy Sloan Martin and one sister, Laura Aileen Martin Blood. Mr. Martin is survived by his wife of 64 years, Mildred Sigmon Martin and two sons, Thomas Neal "Buck" Martin, Jr. (Diane) of Harmony and James Darrell Martin of Statesville. He is also survived by two granddaughters, Traci M. Fox (Staton) of Statesville and Erica M. Henson (Rob) of Charlotte along with one grandson, Jody S. Martin (Roxie Barnes) of Statesville. He is further survived by three great-granddaughters, Alex Fox and Madelyn and Gabrielle Barnes, all of Statesville along with numerous nieces and nephews. Funeral services for Mr. Martin will be conducted at 11:00 am Friday, August 1, 2014, at Providence UMC with Rev. Tom Schnitzlein officiating. Burial with full military honors will follow in the church cemetery. The family will visit with friends following the service. Active pallbearers will be Vic Ellis, Curtis, Kenny, and Bradley Moore, Richard Wright, and Jimmy Gaither. Memorials may be made to the Providence UMC Building Fund, 1273 Old Mocksville Rd, Statesville, NC 28625. The family wishes to extend their sincerest appreciation to the staff of Iredell Memorial Hospital, the staff of Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center, and the Gordon Hospice House for their care and compassion during Mr. Martin brief illness. Online condolences may be made at www.nicholsonfunerals.com/obituaries and Nicholson Funeral Home is serving the family of Tom Martin.