T.F. Martin

T.F. “FOOTS” MARTIN, 82

Painter

LAKE WALES--T.F. “Foots” Martin, 82, of Lake Wales died of heart failure Monday, July 30, 2007 at Lake Wales Medical Center.

Born April 21, 1925 in Lake Wales; he has been a lifelong resident. He was a retired self-employed painter. He was a member of the Trinity Baptist Church, a veteran of World War II, serving in the U.S. Navy as a Navy Seaman, 1st Class, and was one of the last charter members of Lake Wales V.F.W. Post #2420.

“Foots” Martin was the son of Amanda Griffin Martin and Ray Epps Martin, and the grandson of Amy and Jim Griffin, two of the original settlers of Sick Island (West Lake Wales), who hand planted and nurtured the original orange grove in the Hesperides Road area before Lake Wales was incorporated.

Survivors include his wife, Faye Partin Martin of Lake Wales; daughters, Gale (& husband, David) Messer of Lake Wales; Mary (& husband, Dr. Dennis) Littleton of Palm Coast, brother, W.V. Martin of Tampa; sisters, Marie (& husband, Bill) Lacher of Lake Wales; Rebecca Martin Easterly of Orlando; grandchildren, Rev. Chuck Messer, Daniel Messer, Clay Littleton, Kelly Littleton Davidson, and 6 great-grandchildren.

Visitation will be held from 6:00 until 8:00 PM, Tuesday, July 31, 2007 at the Marion Nelson Funeral Home in Lake Wales. Funeral services will be held 11:00 AM, Wednesday, August 01, 2007 at the funeral home. Interment will follow at the Lake Wales Cemetery.

Marion Nelson Funeral Home, Lake Wales.