Brother Lindsey Martin

Lindsey Ivan Martin, age 80, passed away Monday, December 26, 2016, in his home, in the New Hope Community, after a valiant battle with cancer. He was born in his family’s home in DeFuniak Springs on December 2, 1936, to Monroe and Corene Martin. Lindsey worked at Piggly Wiggly for many years before graduating high school and marrying Bobby Jean Sumblin. They moved to and resided in Fort Walton Beach for many years, where Lindsey worked as one of the managers of Rite-Way Supermarket, only to return home and again work at Piggly Wiggly as the manager. When God called him to preach Lindsey became employed at Thriftway Supermarket and drove the school bus until God blessed him with entering full-time ministerial service for His Lord and Savior. During this time Lindsey lost his high school sweetheart and wife of 39½ years, Bobbie Jean, to cancer. February of the following year Lindsey married Carole Ann Recek. Lindsey and Carole were together almost 21 years at the time of his going home to Heaven.

Lindsey is predeceased by his parents, Monroe Young and Corene Rebecca Davis Martin; his first wife and mother of his children, Bobbie Jean Sumblin Martin; Davis Young Martin, brother, and wife Bettye Jo; Robert Earl “Bud” Martin, and Charlie Martin, brothers; Coralyn Ann Martin Hollingsworth, sister, and Theron “Mug” Adkinson, brother-in-law.

Lindsey is survived by his wife, Carole Ann DeVou Recek Martin; his children, Cynthia Renee’ Martin, daughter, and ex-son-in-law, James, of Bonifay, Florida; Melissa Lucille Martin Ayers, daughter, and husband, Ted, of Parker, Colorado; Lisa Tobatha Martin Fleetwood, daughter, and husband, Tom; and Bobby Alton Martin, son, and wife, Alda, all of DeFuniak Springs, Florida; and Christopher M. Recek, step-son, and wife, Janice, of Peach Tree City, Georgia. He is also survived by grandchildren: Kara Elizabeth Ayers, Lindsey Corene Fleetwood, Thomas “T.J.” Fleetwood and wife, Morgan, Kristin Ayers Buscemi and husband, Chris, Jheri Brown Birge and husband, Brady, Alena Martin Willingham and husband, Jason, Joshua Martin Brown, James Michael “Jamie” Brown, and Joseph Isaias Fleetwood; step-grandchildren: Ryan and Patrick; great-grandchildren: Preston, Gage, Ronin, Avery, and Rafael. Survivors also include Iva Bell Martin Adkinson, sister; Martha Lois Martin Turner, sister, and husband, Wayne; Felton William Martin, brother, and wife, Donna; Phillip Monroe Martin, brother, and wife, Frances; Betty Jean Martin Spiegelhalter, sister-in-law, and Ernest “Sonny” Hollingsworth, brother-in-law, and wife, Gloria; along with numerous nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, and special brothers and sisters in Christ.

Floral arrangements are being accepted or memorials may be made in Brother Lindsey Martin’s memory to Covenant Hospice.

A time of visitation will be held Monday, January 2, 2017, from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. in East Baptist Church, located on Bay Avenue, with a Celebration of Lindsey’s life to follow at 11:00 a.m. in the church with Brother Jason Kirk and Brother Jonathan Taylor officiating. Burial will follow in the Martin Family plot in Magnolia Cemetery.