FRANKLINTON - Lt. Colonel Devero Martin, U.S. Army-retired, died Sunday, June 23, 2013 in his Franklinton home at the age of 84. Lt. Col. Martin was born and raised in a small community in western NC known as the Ogreeta section of Cherokee County, about 14 miles from Murphy, NC. The oldest of seven children, he was born to the late Fred and Elsie Graves Martin. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sister, Dollie Smart, and his brother, Clyde Martin.

Lt. Col. Martin graduated from NC State in 1954 and shortly thereafter joined the U.S. Army where he retired in 1974 after an illustrious career spanning 20 years. Following his military retirement, he started a greenhouse business in Franklinton known as Martin’s Greenhouse, which he operated until 1998. Lt. Col. Martin was a member of Perry’s Chapel Baptist Church and a life member of the American Legion and the Disabled American Veterans.

Lt. Col. Martin is survived by his loving wife of 59 years, Mildred Wilder Martin of Franklinton, NC; three daughters, Kathy M. Mullard (Fred) of Crystal Lake, IL; Lu Ann M. Hardee (Bill) of Willow Springs, NC; and Linda Sue Martin of Sterling, VA; six grandchildren, Randy, Gregory and Devra Hardee, Julie Stanbro and Amy and Robin Mullard; one sister, Nancy M. Helms; three brothers, Franklin, Fred Jr. and George Lyle Martin.

Funeral services will be held at 3 p.m. Friday, June 28, at Hall-Wynne Funeral Service, Franklinton Chapel, 504 E. Mason Street. Burial with military honors will follow in Perry’s Chapel Baptist Church Cemetery.

Friends may visit prior to the service on Friday from 2:00-3:00 p.m. in the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Franklinton Fire Department, P. O. Box 310, Franklinton, NC 27525. Online memorials: www.hallwynne.com. Select obituaries.

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