Obituary of Fuller Martin

Fuller Emerson 'Red' Martin, 81, of Bedford, Virginia passed away peacefully in the comfort of his family on March 22, 2012. He was born May 7, 1930 in Bedford County to the late George J. and Sally Musgrove Martin. He was preceded in death by his siblings- Anna Johnson, Amon Martin, Evelyn 'Bunk' Austin, Herbert Martin, Mamie Woodford, Wilbur Martin, Woodrow Martin, and Alice Johnson. Emerson is survived by his loving wife of 54 years, Lou Ellen Arthur Martin. They have four children: George Arthur "Butch" and his wife, Vickie of Bedford; Mark Emerson and his wife, Cheryl of Bedford; William Ernest and his wife, Sandra of Bedford; and Patricia Martin Dove and her husband, Joseph of Blacksburg. They also have been blessed with six grandchildren: Jason Michael Cobb, Meredith Ellen Dove, Caleb Emerson Martin, Kaylin Rose Martin, Emerson Michael Dove, and Katie Elaine Martin. During the Korean conflict, he served in the U.S. Navy as an aircraft mechanic in Oceana Air Station, Virginia. Farming of the homeplace was his love and for many years he raised cattle, tobacco, and many other crops. He was known for his remarkable ability to fix anything. Emerson founded with his sons and later retired from Gillespie Incorporated, a timber harvesting and sawmill company. He was a former member of the Bedford Christian Church and is a current member of the Mentow Baptist Church in Huddleston, Virginia. Emerson was a beloved and highly respected member of the community and will be deeply missed by his family and friends. The family requests that those wishing to make memorials should consider the Huddleston Lifesaving Crew, P. O. Box 77, Huddleston, VA 24104 or the Huddleston Fire Department, 5377 Smith Mountain Lake Parkway, Huddleston, VA 24104. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 PM on Sunday, March 25, 2012 at Updike Funeral Chapel, Bedford, with Rev. Greg Soult and Rev. Bryan Sheehan officiating. The family will receive friends and family Saturday from 4 until 7 PM at Updike Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Bedford, and other times at the family home.