Johnny James Martin

Johnny James Martin departed this earthly life on Sunday, October 9, 2022 at Prisma Health Richland Hospital in Columbia, South Carolina. Born in Columbia, SC on May 11, 1940, he was the fifth of seven children born to the late James Martin and Clotell Geiger Martin. He was a graduate of Bethel High School in Blythewood, SC Class of 1958. After graduating from Benedict College in 1961 he began his teaching career at C.A. Johnson High School in Columbia. In 1963 he enlisted in the US Army and was assigned to Dover, NJ and was honorably discharged in1965. While stationed in Dover he met the love of his life, Ossie Hamlett, and on June 14,1969 they were married in Newark, NJ. In 1969, they relocated to Columbia, SC. Into this loving union they were blessed with two children, Yolanda Renee and John Philbert. Johnny resumed his career as an educator of mathematics at Bethel High School and later taught carpentry at Lynhaven Career Center in Columbia. After ending his teaching career, he started his general contracting business, Richmont Construction Company, with his brother Nathan Martin.They were major participants in the renovation of the historic Modjeska Monteith Simkins House in Columbia, the Harriet Barber House in Hopkins, SC, First Nazareth Baptist Church in Columbia, and other construction projects including medical offices in Columbia, renovated homes in Martha's Vineyard, MA, and Brigantine, NJ. He was a master cabinet maker and in his spare time he used his mathematical skills in helping others prepare taxes. In addition to the construction company, he also co-owned Jim's Hardware and Auto Parts in Blythewood and North Main Street in Columbia with his brother Nathan. In his spare time he attended family reunions every year, enjoyed fishing and hunting with his brothers, spending time at Lake Murray and traveling with his family to Cherokee, NC. He was the Transportation Coordinator for the SC Chapter of the United Martin Family Reunion, and he served for many years as Treasurer and a Board Member on the United Martin Family Scholarship Committee. In addition to his wife and parents, he was preceded in death by his brothers: Allen Martin, Nathan Martin, Rudolph Martin and Albert Martin. He leaves to cherish precious memories his children, Yolanda Renee Martin and John Philbert Martin, both of Columbia; two sisters, Betty Jean Martin and Bobbie Ann Martin, both of Columbia; six sisters-in-law, Creola Martin and Barbara Martin, both of Columbia; Viola H. Brandon of Philadelphia, PA, and Alice F.(Fred) Mitchell of Roxboro, NC; Queen Hamlett of Yonkers, NY; and JoAnn Fergus of Neptune, NJ; two brothers-in-law: Willie Fergus of Alton, VA, and Shank (Marie) Fergus of Newark, NJ, and a host of nieces, nephews, and other relatives and friends.

Johnny James Martin

May 11, 1940 - October 9, 2022