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James Martin

James was known for being a man's man, a one of a kind who traveled a road less traveled, kind-hearted, giver not expecting something in return, supportive, loving, a sense of humor and yes, hot tempered. Over the years courtship and the sixty years of marriage he talked of his life's negatives and positives. The following is peek- The environment (good, bad or indifferent} we live in has a lot to do with who we are! "Judge not, that you be not judged," Matthew 7:1

In the Beginning

In the little town of Mooresboro (Cleveland County, NC) lived Mr. Marion M. Martin and Mrs. Maggie Wray Martin. Ninety years ago, September 20, 1933, was an "O HAPPY DAY!" kind of day. It was the day they had been waiting nine months for! This was the day James Avrose Martin was born!

James was the youngest of five doting adult siblings: Fred, Willie (Mildred), Sarah Martin andFlay (Mary Jane) and Curly Wray. They got along lovingly as long as they didn't try to boss him. The "battles" got pretty heated at times! He resented being treated like they were his dad. They were over it by the time they saw each other

Back to his name, one of Mrs. Maggie's neighbors noticed the way James crawled. Amazed! she said," He hops like a toad! "When word got out the nickname "TOAD"spread like wild-fire. AND the rest is history

For whatever reason, Mrs. Maggie decided to take James and move back to Shelby. He had many happy memories living in the country with his daddy. He was in awe just looking at the forest that surrounded him, the plowed fields waiting to be seeded, and the daily care of the hogs and other farm animals. Equally, he enjoyed his time with his mother. As a city boy there were other families next door, across the street, and mothers who were mothers to all the kids, stores within walking distance and water from faucet

Facing His Challenges

Life for him had many challenges to face. Like a bouquet of beautiful roses, they came from a bush that received a lot of tender loving care. James didn't get a lot of tender loving care. Langston Hughes poem Mom to Sonshares with son her struggles:

So boy, don't you turn back. Don't set down on a step' Cause you finds it's kinder hard. Don't you fall now---For I'se still goin' honey, I'se still climbin' and life for me ain't been no crystal stairs.

As a child, James had two challenges that brought tears to his eyes.

(1) When he started school there was a group of students that harassed him. When he retaliated someone would tell his dad. Without giving him a chance to tell his side, he would beat him unmercifully. All he could do was cry! But a day of reckoning came! He decided beating or not, he was going to defend himself! To their surprise, he did just what he said, he defended himself! That was the day the harassment stopped!

(2) By the time he was 10/11 his dad put him to work plowing, chopping the grass and weeds from around the plants or feed and water the livestock daily regardless of the weather. He learned quickly that being a farmer is hard work. His dad was a hard task master. He expected perfection or suffer the consequence. He suffered the consequence several times!

James was always happy when Ms. Ola Belle came to live with them, she would sometimes bring her nephew, Logan Boykins with her. Not only did Logan help him with chores, but they also had fun playing games, going fishing and hunting together and Ms. Ola Belle was a mother-like figure plus she would come out and help "the boys" with their chores especially during cotton picking time.

His Happy Days

At last, he was a teenager getting ready to go to Green Bethal High School in Boiling Springs. Right away he knew this school was a perfect fit for him. The staff and students were cordial. The student body was not only high spirited, they were very competitive and he was too. Their ultimate goal was to be the best or at least place.

James found happiness like he never knew existed. He did odd jobs after school, holidays and summers for other farmers and their wives to earn money to help support himself:

  • his dad extended his curfew, it gave him the privilege to go where he wanted. He never abused his curfew.
  • The money he earned he saved until head enough to buy school clothes.

The Beginning of Manhood

After graduation, he served two (2) years, ten (10) months, 28 (twenty-eight) days in the U.S. Army Infantry in the mortar section. His rank was Specialist Three (3). His Company Commander suggested him to go to college after his discharge. When he returned home his cousin, Ms. Iris Koonce, and a life-long friend, Mr. Daniel Jolly, also encouraged him to go to college. College!? He didn't think he was college material but decided to give it a try. So, in January 1957, he registered and enrolled into Livingstone College, Salisbury, NC majoring in elementary education.

Indeed, he was college material! In addition to all his class studies and assignment she played football, (GO BLUE BEARS), intramural basketball, inducted into the Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity (HERE COME THE BLUE AND WHITE) and a little time to socialize and still he was able to stay on the Dean List every semester except one and graduated with a B.A. Degree from Livingstone and later, a Master Degree in School Administration from NC A&T University, Greensboro, NC.

He taught fourth thru sixth(4-6) grades at three (3) different schools (Green Bethel, Lattimore, and Burns Middle School).His philosophy was that all students can learn if taught. (one exception, that is, if he/she wants to).He went the extra mile, used different strategies to make learning fun and more understandable. He was stern yet warm-hearted and fun-loving.

In addition to his day job, at the request of the late Mr. Clarence Palmer of Holly Oak Park, he accepted the job heading an after-school tutorial program at Hunter School on Pinkney Street for students who wanted or needed extra help with homework, etc...

James enjoyed his leisure time:

  • going fishing and hunting, that's a Martin "thang!"
  • shooting the breeze with his friends on the corner, pool room and Holly Oak Park
  • going or watching a game if the game had a ball attached to it. For years he was was an official and a coach.

Also, he was proud of his:

  • collection of his favorite presidents, vice presidents, wives (Carter, Clinton, Obama and Biden) memorabilia
  • fishing trophies
  • awards, certificates, and plaques
  • book-caddy he made in shop class while in high school

One requirement of every student at Livingstone was that all must sit in their assigned seat every Wednesday at twelve noon for chapel. They were allowed three unexcused absences. He didn't remember what the consequences were, nor did he remember if the same rule applied for Vespersheld every Sunday evening.

The auditorium had many seats, guess who sat directly in front him, his future wife, Patsy Ruth Jackson. Even though he had a significant other on campus, he looked as if he got a kick out of teasing her, pulling her hair, calling her sweet P and winking his eye at her. When his significant other graduated, he had to use his special charm before he could win Patsy's affection again.

Martin seldom did anything conventional. He was very romantic and often gave me "just because" gifts in addition to those he gave for holidays. Instead of falling on one knee to propose, he said, "We might as well get married." That was December 13, 1963 and we married February 1, 1964. February 1, 2024 was our sixty (60) years of marriage. Which was filled with bliss, disagreements, silent treatments, remembering our wedding vows, worshipping together and birthing two children, James, Jr. 1968 (Hope) and Lori Jeannine, 1973-1982; two grandchildren, Jeremiah and Jeannine (Dikal Johnson) and two (2) great grandsons, Micah and Josiah.

We had never been apart more than five (5) days (work related or conferences) until he was placed in a veteran nursing facility in Columbia, SC which is about two hours away.

Spiritual Journey

James's work and service and the life he lived were exemplary and so was his financial support. James also spent hours working to help keep Waddell Chapel AME Zion Church structurally sound and aesthetically pleasing to the eye.

Service wise, he volunteered at no cost to the church for equipment, cleaning supplies and paint, to be the janitor. Evidently his services weren't up-to-par, and another janitor was hired and added to the payroll.

AND now pertaining to the life he lived, __ he tried to live an exemplary life that was Godly both inwardly and outwardly. Like all of us, he wasn't born holy!

He knew the works and the services he rendered would be nullified and always questionable even though he confessed and accepted Jesus as his personal savior. He tried to live sin-free, but found himself yielding to temptation by thought, word and deed. Often, he could be heard praying for forgiveness. (Micah 7:18-19) He never reached perfection, but he tried! He realized all the while that a church membership can't save you. He knew Roman 10:9 by heart and kept repeating it before his sickness and in the hospital. He also said, "If I have wronged anyone, please forgive me."


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