Hannah Martin
Hannah Cornelia Martin, 82, of Chattanooga, died peacefully on Thursday, October 20, 2016.
She was born in Fountain, Al., on Aug. 18, 1934, to the late Jack and Nancy Hixon.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Luther Martin; her sister Elizabeth Davis; her brothers, Lamar Hixon, Alvin Hixon and Wallace Hixon; a brother-in-law, Robert Davis, Sr. and a nephew, Lamar Davis.
Mrs. Martin was a unique individual, she was a very warm person, but she could take charge and organize with the veracity of a lion. There was never a job too small or too large for her to do and do well. She loved and cared for the family and they in turn gave love, also, she had a unique love for her community and the individuals in the community. Mrs. Martin served on numerous boards and committees of various organizations during her career but her first love was for the struggle through the membership and devout work with the NAACP, where she was a Diamond Life Member. She held various offices at all levels of the organization including serving as President and vice president in the local branch of the NAACP, along with winning a number of awards from the organization; such as the Women in the NAACP Honoree, Ebony Fair Fundraising, and State Conference of Branches Service Award. In addition, the Chattanooga Branch of the NAACP gives an annual award in her name—“Hannah C. Martin ‘Through the Storm’ Award”.
She was employed full time over her fruitful years in different companies and retired from the state of Tennessee as a pharmaceutical technician at the Moccasin Bend health facility—where she was affectionately called the “Pill Lady”. She found time during her career to serve on the Hamilton County School Board, Chattanooga Neighborhood Enterprise, Glenwood BPW, and as an active member of Union Grove Baptist Church. Other organizations saw here good works and honored her with Hamilton County Distinguished Citizen Award, Distinguished Citizen City of Chattanooga; Glenwood BPW Woman of the Year, State Conference of Branches Leadership Award, Zeta Phi Beta Family Enrichment Certificate, and State of Tennessee Service Award-Senator’s. She organized the annual Jubilee Day programs and the Black Dollar Days for many years.
Mrs. Martin is survived by her only child, Minister David E. Hamler (Beverly) of Petersburg, VA; two granddaughters, Angela Towns (Patrick) of Lexington Park, MD and Alisa Price (Hillery) of Ridgeland, MS; five great-grandchildren, Darryn, Caleb, Gabriel, Destiny and Elijah David; two brothers, Robert Hixon of Mobile, AL and John L. Hixon (Mary) of Gautier, MS; two nieces, Louise Davis O’Neal and Shirley Diane Davis, one nephew, Robert Davis, Jr., all of Chattanooga, TN; a devoted great niece, L’Tonya Simpson (Kenneth) of Chattanooga, TN and great nephew, Herman O’Neal, Jr. of Decatur AL; She also leaves to cherish her memories, a very dedicated and devoted friend, Reverend Ann Jones Pierre of Chattanooga, TN who became her caregiver after she became ill until her death.
The funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 26, at John P. Franklin chapel with Pastor Glenn P. Taylor officiating. Internment will be in Forest Hills Cemetery.
The body will lie in state after noon on Tuesday at John P. Franklin Funeral Home, 1101 Dodds Ave., 629-9995.