Virginia Dare Wood Martin

Virginia Dare Wood Martin, age 95, of Baldwin, passed away peacefully after an extended illness on Monday, October 1, 2018 at Scenic View Nursing Center.

Born October 13, 1922 in Banks County, Georgia to the late Marion Henry and Ethel Jane Cunningham Wood, she was proud of the fact that she was named Virginia Dare Wood after Virginia Dare (born 08/18/1587) who was the first English child born in the New World English Settlement, and was named after the territory of Virginia, which was her birthplace. Miss Dare became known as a member of “The Lost Colony”.

Mrs. Martin or “Bubba” as she was affectionally called by many, was retired from Banks County Primary School and was a member of the Eastern Star and Banks County AARP.  A devout and proud Christian lady, she was a member of B C Grant Baptist Church in Alto.  Mrs. Martin loved to travel, especially with her sister Jeanette. She was always up for a trip or even just to go for a walk.  She deeply loved her family and her friends and in turn was deeply loved by them.  She loved to be surrounded by those she cared about and was always ready to help whenever needed.  One of her greater accomplishments was the fact that she was a long-time cancer survivor and she always had encouragement for anyone fighting that battle. Another proud accomplishment that Mrs. Martin loved to talk about was the fact that while attending school, she was the Spelling Bee champion and she continued to offer her expertise in spelling whenever needed.

In addition to her parents, Mrs. Martin was preceded in death by her husband, Cohen Martin; her in-laws, former GA Representative Thomas “Tom” and Ethel Sarah Martin; sisters, Jeanette Simmons, Georgia Cash, Dorothy Tatum, Mildred Wood, LaJune Veal, and Gwendolyn Lovett; brothers, Edwin Wood, Johnny Wood, and Jack Wood and son-in-law, Dean Westbrook.

Mrs. Martin is survived by her daughter, Gail Martin Westbrook of Alto and son, Bobby (Wilda) Martin of Commerce, and sister, Pollyann Hooks of Florida.  She is also survived by her grandchildren, Scott (Lori) Martin of Commerce, Melody (Scott) Danner of Suwanee, Martin (Paula) Westbrook of Alto, and Rick (Megan) Westbrook of West Linn, Oregon.  Great grandchildren include McClaine and Chandler Martin and Dean and Marx Westbrook.  She is also survived by special nephews and their wives, Pat (Anne) Simmons and Ricky (Carolyn) Simmons in addition to a host of nieces, nephews, and special friends.

Funeral Services are scheduled for 11:00 a.m., Thursday, October 4, 2018 at B.C. Grant Baptist Church with Rev. Daniel Parker, David Terrell, and Rev. Gene Todd officiating. Interment will follow in Bank County Memorial Gardens.

The family will receive friends from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., Wednesday, October 3, 2018 at Whitfield Funeral Home, South Chapel.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to B.C. Grant Baptist Church, 1405 B.C. Grant Road, Alto, Georgia 30510 or to the American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 22478, Oklahoma City, OK 73123.

Arrangements are in care of Whitfield Funeral Home & Crematory, South Chapel, 1370 Industrial Blvd., Baldwin, Georgia. 706-778-7123.

Those wishing to express online condolences to the family may do so by visiting our website at www.whitfieldfuneralhomes.com.