Carol Ann Johnson Martin, 65, of Tifton passed away Tuesday, June 6, 2017, at her residence. Her funeral service will be held at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, June 10, 2017, at Tifton’s First Baptist Church with the Rev. Michael McInnis and the Rev. Rodney Owens officiating. Teresa Lassiter will offer a eulogy. Carol will be laid to rest at Oak Ridge Cemetery. The family will receive friends Friday, June 9, 2017, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. in the Chapel of Bowen-Donaldson Home for Funerals. Carol has requested that everyone wear bright colors to her Celebration of Life. Family and friends will gather at the home of Michael and Amy Brooks, 291 Early Hutchinson Road in Tifton. Carol will be placed in the church one hour prior to the service.
Michael Brooks, Chad Clements, Ken Ford, John Michael Brooks, Chris Brooks, Bob Lee, Michael Franks and Kenny Brownlee will serve as pallbearers. Honorary pallbearers will be Julie Johnson, Pam Barry, Theodosia Flowers, Debbie Coarsey and Teresa Lassiter.
Carol was born on March 23, 1952 and was the daughter of the late Allen Simmons Johnson, Jr. and Pauline “Polly” Connor Johnson. She was also preceded in death by an infant brother, Carey Van Johnson. Carol graduated from Tift County High School in 1970 and attended Valdosta State College, where she was a member of Alpha Delta Pi Sorority. She received her Associates Degree at ABAC. She made lots of friends throughout high school and college that she remained extremely close to throughout all these years. Her friends were her source of energy and delight.
Carol was a member at First Baptist Church in Tifton and she loved the Lord and loved serving Him.
Carol worked in the peanut and cotton industry for many years and loved her farmer friends. She was a people person and had a personality and a thriving determination that made people love her.
Carol had one of those smiles that lit up a room. One of her best characteristics was her ability to make friends with everyone. Carol enjoyed traveling with her husband, family and friends. Two of her favorite places to spend time were Amelia Island and Lake Blackshear. Other hobbies which she enjoyed were taking pictures and needlepoint, as well as spending time with her grandchildren, whom she adored and loved being a part of each of their lives. Most of all, Carol accomplished her life goal of being a great mother. She is a role model and best friend to her three loving daughters.
Carol leaves behind her husband, Donald Martin, Jr. and three daughters and sons-in-law, Amy Dunn and Michael Brooks of Ty Ty, Krista Dunn and Chad Clements of Melbourne, Florida and Debbie Dunn and Ken Ford of Nashville, Tennessee. Carol has two step-sons, Donald Martin, III and wife Maggie and Bryant Martin and one step-daughter, Molly Martin and Alex Merwin. She has six special and loving grandchildren, John Michael Brooks, Julie Ann Brooks, Kaitlyn Clements, Worth Clements, Simmons Ford and Timothy Ford; a brother, Paul Johnson; a sister and brother-in-law, Jan and Kenny Brownlee; and six devoted nieces and care-givers, Becky B. Lee, Kim B. Meeks, Mandy B. Brooks, Vanessa J. Franks, Lisa J. Sommer and Amanda Johnson. There are lots of special great-nieces and nephews, who lovingly call her “MaMa Carol” and lots of cousins.