Rev. Charles C. Martin

Rev. Charles C. Martin, Grove Oak, made his transition to his heavenly home Monday, Feb. 9, 2026, at approximately 2:35 p.m. Born and raised on Straight Mountain in Blount County, he graduated from Appalachian High School in 1959. 

Growing up he was always active in school sports – basketball, baseball, football. Immediately following graduation, he went to Parris Island, S.C., for Marine Corps boot camp. Following training in the Russian alphabet and language, he was given a top-secret cryptographic clearance to track and break the Russian communications during the Cold War. He was assigned to various locations, including the Philippines and Cuba. He completed his last 23 months in Kamaseya, Japan, receiving his discharge in March 1963. He was not de-classified until the fall of the Belin Wall in 1989. 

During his military career he continued his involvement in football and fast pitch softball, receiving a football scholarship to Arizona State University. However, a knee injury prevented him from attending ASU. 

Charles met his wife in Sept. 1963, and they were married in July 1964. They have two beautiful daughters, with the family now including a special son-in-law, four granddaughters, and three grandsons-in-law. 

While working in the elevator industry, he felt God calling him into Christian ministry. In 1972, he moved his family to Colorado to attend Nazarene Bible College. While there he worked full time, took a full class load, and was the bus ministry pastor at Indian Heights Church, while also participating in intramural college and church sports. After graduating in 1975, he accepted a pastorate in Forrest City, Ark., and was ordained in 1977. He was active in church and community sports, as well as various civic organizations. 

In 1978, he moved to Montgomery to pastor Capital City Church. He continued his involvement in sports and civic activities, being nominated as the Montgomery YMCA Man of the Year. He was selected twice as the NBC Alumnus of the Year from Alabama. Through the years, he served on various District Church boards and committees. One of his favorite positions was being a youth camp counselor. Being a compassionate person, he was very involved in local, district, and global world mission projects in the U. S., Honduras, Guyana, and Cuba. Following Hurricane Katrina, he served as the denomination’s project and volunteer coordinator, directing volunteers from the U. S. and Canada in restoring and rebuilding homes and churches in Bayou La Batre, Ala. 

Pastorates included: First Church, Forrest City, Ark.; Capital City, Montgomery, Ala.; First Church, Montgomery, Ala.; Bayview Church, Grand Bay, Ala.; interim at Briarwood Church, Fort Payne, Ala.; and Boaz Church, Boaz, Ala. 

In 2005, he joined the Marine Corps League Townsend Detachment in Montgomery. After moving to DeKalb County following retirement in 2010, he became a charter member in 2012 of the NE Alabama MCL in Fort Payne. In addition to serving as Chaplain, he has served as the Senior Vice Commandant, Judge Advocate, and Commandant. He has been active in the Toys for Tots program as well as serving various internal MCL committees. In addition, Charles has been involved in community and civic endeavors in the area. 

With all his many talents and abilities, Charles felt his biggest blessing in addition to his family was caring for people. He is known for his love and compassion. 

Rev. Martin is survived by his loving wife (of more than 61 years) Glenda Martin; daughters: Sonja (Dan) Coleman and Jana Hulsey; grandchildren Lauren (Ethan) Arrowood, Alicia (Harry) Palmer, Bryanna Hulsey, and Ameilya (Jantson) Hundley; siblings Ronald (Gail) Martin, Wayne Martin, Gloria Fortner, and Shirley (Ronald) Fortner; a host of nieces and nephews. Rev. Martin was preceded in death by his parents Curt and Phyllis Awtrey Martin; brother-in-law Gerald Fortner; and sister-in-law Betty Dixon Martin. 

Funeral services were held at 4 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 13, 2026, from W.T. Wilson Funeral Chapel in Rainsville, Ala. The family received friends from 2 to 4 p.m. Friday, Feb. 13, 2026, at W.T. Wilson Funeral Chapel, and from 1 to 2:30 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 14, 2026, at Lemley Chapel Funeral Home in Oneonta. Graveside funeral services were held at 3 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 14, 2026, at Oak Hill Cemetery in Oneonta. 

W.T. Wilson Funeral Chapel handled funeral arrangements.