Cover photo for Ralph Martin's Obituary
Ralph Martin Profile Photo
1920 Ralph 2012

Ralph Martin

April 22, 1920 — May 20, 2012

Visitation: 5-8pm Monday, May 21, 2012 at Ott & Lee Funeral Home
and starting at 9am Tuesday at Cato Baptist ChurchService: 10am Tuesday, May 22, 2012 at Cato Baptist Church, 1122 Cato Road, Mendenhall, MS 39114Interment: Salem Cemetery
Ralph Harris Martin
Brandon Ralph Harris Martin, 92, passed away Sunday, May 20, 2012, at his home in Brandon. Visitation was 5-8pm Monday at Ott & Lee Funeral Home in Brandon. Services are 10am Tuesday, May 22, at Cato Baptist Church with burial in Salem Cemetery.Mr. Martin was born in Rankin County on April 22, 1920 and was the eldest son of Roy and Sara Martin. He was a lifelong member of Cato Baptist Church serving faithfully as Deacon, Sunday School Director and Sunday School teacher. He served in the United States Navy as a 2nd Lieutenant during World War II and enjoyed an annual Reunion with his LST 313 & LST 286 shipmates each year.Mr. Martin retired after 39 years of federal civil service with the Veterans Administration as the Loan Guaranty Officer. During his tenure, he was instrumental in developing a program which allowed veterans to obtain a loan for manufactured housing which gave them an opportunity to own their own home. For many years he served as Chairman of the Board of the Jackson V.A. Federal Credit Union and Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Rankin General Hospital. He was also a charter member of the Rankin County Chamber of Commerce where he served a term as President.Not only was Mr. Martin involved in community service and federal service but he operated a family farm for almost 70 years. He was a 3rd generation farmer in the Cato community managing a cattle and timber operation. He was the 1991 recipient of the Mississippi Tree Farmer of the Year Award and also was Southern United States Tree Farmer of the Year. He was recognized by the National Endowment for Soil and Water Conservation for the Good Earth Family Award in 1992. In 1995, he was Mississippi’s Commercial Cattleman of the Year.Mr. Martin was preceded in death by his wife of 66 years, Rennette Lott Martin, in 2011. He is survived by his daughter, Andra Gaines and husband, Gary of Franklin, TN; sons, Gale Martin and wife, Pam of Brandon, MS and Paul Martin and wife, Nanda of Brandon, MS; 9 grandchildren and 18 great grandchildren.The family would like to extend heartfelt thanks and love to his caregivers, Penny Beeman, Mary Hubbard, Versie Holmes and Glenda Curtis.The family request memorials be made to Cato Baptist Church, 1122 Cato Rd, Mendenhall, MS 39114.Visit www.ottandleefuneralhome.com for the online guest register book.

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