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Benjamin Hinton Martin was born November 26, 1934 to Albert and Hattie Watkins Martin of Chattahoochee County, Georgia. He passed away April 28, 2024.
At the tender age of nine years, Ben (Poppa) lost his father who was his best friend and fishing buddy. Poppa, his mother and his sister, Joan, relocated to Mobile, Alabama where his beloved mother and precious baby sister are at rest today.
Growing up in Mobile, Poppa attended Barton Academy and Murphy High School. At the age of twelve he went to work at Greer’s Grocery where he trained as a butcher. The other butchers nicknamed him “PeeWee” and stacked wooden drink crates for him to stand on while he learned the art of butchery. He could still show us the scars from his on-the-job training.
Poppa would catch the last city bus running each evening back home from his job and each morning he would be back at his desk for school.
Other than fishing religiously, Poppa’s only extracurricular activity as a student was dance. He paid for lessons at a studio in downtown Mobile and, for the rest of his life, danced anytime and anywhere. Poppa even learned to dance using his walker.
Upon graduation from Murphy High School, Poppa left Mobile on a bus taking him to serve in the Navy. He was stationed at PAX River, Maryland where he gained a reputation as a “comshaw artist”. If there was a trade to be brokered, you could count on Poppa to be the man in the middle.
Poppa continued the art of butchery as he moved from the Navy to study Engineering at LSU. Between the Navy and LSU, Poppa married Mary Yarber of Avery County, North Carolina and they lived their adventure until her death in 2008.
After graduating from LSU, Poppa pursued a career in sales and worked for The Standard Register Company for 37 years. During his career, Poppa developed and sold barcode technology earning numerous awards and recognition for his contributions.
Poppa is unforgettable. Irreverent, bold, fussy and fancy. Whether on the golf course at Maple Ridge or pulling in a bass on Lake Martin you could count on his hilarious and timeless one-liners his friends still use today. The ladies at Schomburg Publix, Dr. Allen Whitten’s office and the D.A. Turner YMCA can attest to Poppa’s next-level charm.
Per Poppa’s wishes, The Georgia/Alabama Bass Club that Poppa founded in 1969 will partner with Poppa’s family and friends to get him back to that special place where he learned to fish with his Dad by his side. Those arrangements will be announced.
We are so thankful for the great care Poppa received from Columbus Hospice and his nurse, Stacey. Please continue to support this wonderful gift to our community.
The Martin Family is being assisted by Georgia Cremation, 7500 Veterans Parkway, Suite A, Columbus, Georgia 31909, 706-577-0055.
The family invites you to leave a condolence or share a fond memory of Benjamin below.
Rob Barefield says
Ben was a client of ours for over 20 years and that relationship developed into a special friendship. I enjoyed visiting Ben and “Marty” and just sitting and talking. Ben was full of wit and always fun to be around.
I am blessed to have had Ben and Mary in my life!
Michael Hrtshirne says
Ben was a good friend and fisherman, I fished with him many times while in the Ga/ Al bass club fishing and talking with him. He will surely be missed by many people. Especially the fishing friend and golf friends .Rest in peace my friend 🧡
Karen oliver says
Mr. Martin was the sweetest man and also hilarious he loved to talk about his sweet daughter Barbara and his best friend Marty he will be missed dearly, but not forgotten I enjoyed the time I got to know him!! Rest In Peace❤️ Karen!
Jane & Bob Hundertmark says
As Ben’s neighbor in Linville Land Harbor we always looked forward to his visits and catching up on time that had passed. Ben always had a pet with most remembered ” Beaureguard”, who was known to jump on any moving golf car that came by the house. We will miss Ben. Thoughts and prayers to the family.❤❤