Johnny Martin, Sr

Mr. John Dorrell Martin, Sr., affectionately known by all as Johnny, age 57, of 3540 Rum Gully Road, Islandton, entered into eternal rest Thursday afternoon, May 14, 2009, at the Roper Hospital in Charleston surrounded by his loving family.



Funeral services will be conducted 2 oclock Sunday afternoon, May 17, 2009, from The Brice W. Herndon and Sons Funeral Chapel, Walterboro. Interment will follow in the family cemetery, Gods Little Acre, located next to Peniel Baptist Church in Islandton.



Johnny Martin, Sr. was born June 18, 1951, next to the old Airbase in Walterboro and was son of Mrs. Betty Morningstar Martin and the late Mr. Dorrell McClure Martin. He was the owner of Martin Well Drilling, a trade which he had faithfully practiced for close fifty years. Stories recall Johnny working with his father, while still in grammar school driving rigs when he was eleven years old to operating the job site successfully on his on while in his younger years. Water well drilling was his life, and the successful business he operated made its own reputation through out the Lowcountry of South Carolina.



Johnny had many passions in life. His family was his most prized possession, always centering his life around his loving family. He will be remembered as a loving husband, son, father, grandfather, brother, and friend to many. He was an outdoorsman, and hunting, fishing, and farming were part of his favorite pastimes. He always had a smile on his face and a good joke ready to tell. He was truly a jack of all trades.



Surviving are: his wife of twenty-eight years, Mrs. Barbie Bennett Martin; his mother, Mrs. Betty Morningstar Martin of Islandton; two sons, Troy Schaffer of Little Rock Air Force Base, Arkansas and Johnny Martin, Jr. of Walterboro; three daughters, Missy Schaffer of Varnville, Julie Walker of Beaufort, and Jodie Bessinger of Ehrhardt; and two sisters, Jackie Jarrell of Walterboro and Bonnie Martin of Islandton. There are nine beloved grandchildren which were the joy of his life, Travis Martin, Hannah Martin, Kylie Schaffer, Taylor Schaffer, Louie Walker, Mikey Walker, Dalton Davis, Bryson Davis, and Delanie Bessinger that also survive. He was preceded in death by his father and a sister, Margie Beasely.



Flowers will be suggested, or for those that wish, the family has suggested that memorials be directed in his memory to: Colleton County Relay for Life, 5900 Core Road, Suite 504, North Charleston, South Carolina 29406.



For those that would so desire, memorial messages and thoughts may be left for the family by visiting: www.briceherndonfuneralhome.com.

Family and friends are invited to call from 6:00 until 9:00 this Saturday evening at THE BRICE W. HERNDON AND SONS FUNERAL HOMES, WALTERBORO CHAPEL, 1193 Bells Highway, Walterboro, 843.538.5408.

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