Clifford Burns Martin

Clifford Burns Martin passed away peacefully at home surrounded by his family Sunday night. He was born in Gainesville, Georgia on August 7, 1922. He was preceded in death by his parents Sylba Smith and William Guy Martin, and his sister Jenny.

He attended Candler Street School and graduated in 1940 from Gainesville High School. A member of the track team at Emory University at Oxford, he earned an associate's degree in 1942, and joined the US Army Air Force. Before going to the Pacific theater of war, Clifford was given a medical discharge and worked for the remainder o£ World War 11 at Bell Bomber Plant in Marietta.

After the war, he opened a furniture store that later became Martin Furniture Company, which is now operated by his son Ben. While in business, Clifford was a member of the Kiwanis Club, the Chamber of Commerce, the Georgian Retail Furniture Association, and the American Legion.

He served as a member of the Gainesville City Commission and as Mayor Pro-Tem in the 1960's. He also was a member of the Gainesville Board of Education,and served as Chairman of the American Red Cross as well as President of the Hall County Humane Society.

Clifford was a life-long member of St. Paul United Methodist Church where he served as member and chairman of the administrative board, Finance Committee, Trustees, and Willing Workers Sunday school class.

Clifford is survived by his wife of 50 years, Anne Bache Martin and by his beloved children: Margaret Henson, Sally Sewell, Ben Martin, and Amy Marcone, sons-in-law Dr. Taylor Henson and Dan Marcone, and daughter-in-law Courtney Martin.

He is also survived by 11 wonderful grandchildren: Beth, John, and Meg Henson; Martin and Griffin Sewell; Cliff, Casey, and Maggie Martin; Mandy, Allie, and Dallas Marcone. He is also survived by sister and brother-in-law Joyce and Wayne Staton; brother and sister-in-law Johnny and Barbara Martin, as well as multiple nieces, nephews, and cousins.

The family will receive friends at Ward's Funeral Home on Tuesday evening from 5 to 7 p.m. A memorial service will be held at St. Paul Untied Methodist Church on Wednesday, August 2,2006 at 11:00 a.m.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the St. Paul Building Fund; 404 Washington Street, Gainesville,GA 30501.