John Edward Martin Sr.

John Edward Martin, Sr., 72, of Colonial Heights, VA went to be with the Lord on Friday, December 15, 2023.  Born in Fort Campbell, KY on July 2, 1951, he was the son of the late William Edward Martin and Christine Brockwell Martin.  John was a hard worker and attended high school by day and worked night shift at Brown & Williamson Tobacco Company.  He later worked day shift and attended Richard Bland College at night earning his associate degree.  He kept working there until B&W closed.  He continued his education, receiving a bachelor’s degree from VCU.  John retired from Philip Morris USA in 2008.  He was a loving and devoted husband and father.  John loved the Lord and was a member of Faith Baptist Church in Colonial Heights.  John came to know the Lord Jesus Christ as his personal Lord and Savior and was later baptized in March 1977.  After retiring, he would spend time at Lake Gaston fishing and relaxing.  John is survived by his wife of 52 years, Brenda Marek Martin, and son John E. Martin, Jr.  He is also survived by three siblings, Brenda Kump, Gerald Martin and his wife, Janet, and Shari Zappulla and her husband, Chris.  He was predeceased by his oldest sister, Betty Hobbs.  He is survived by several nieces and nephews.  A funeral service will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Thursday, December 21, 2023, at the Colonial Heights Chapel of the E. Alvin Small Funeral Homes, 2033 Boulevard Colonial Heights, VA 23834, with Pastor Eugene Balance officiating.  Interment will follow in Blandford Cemetery, Petersburg, Virginia. The family will receive friends Wednesday, December 20, 2023 from 6:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m. at the funeral home.  Flowers are welcome or memorial contributions may be made to Faith Baptist Church 1226 W Roslyn Rd, Colonial Heights, Virginia  23834.