Edward "Ed" Martin

Four Oaks, NC:  Mr. Edward "Ed"  Hampton Martin, age 85, of 575 F Spring Lake Road died Saturday at Wake Med in Raleigh.  Funeral Services will be held 2:00 PM Wednesday, May 9, 2018, at Beulah Hill Christian Church, Four Oaks, NC.  Rev. Sam Blackmon will officiate. Burial will follow in Hills of the Neuse Memory Gardens in Smithfield with military honors.             Mr. Martin was born on April 15, 1933, in  Johnston County to the late Arthur and Effie Stanley Martin. He was preceded in death by his sister, Eula Mae Fornel.  Mr. Martin retired from Carolina Power and Light as a system load dispatcher and was also a US Navy Veteran. He was a founding member of the Country Squires Bluegrass Band as well as Southland Harmony, a southern gospel group with over 35 years playing and singing music.   He was a member of Beulah Hill Christian Church where he served in many capacities.             Surviving are his loving wife of 61 years, Rebecca Braswell Martin; children, John Martin, Thomas Martin and wife, Betty, all of Four Oaks, Wade Martin and wife, Bambi, of Clayton, and Ellen Ennis Smith and husband, PJ, of Four Oaks; grandchildren, Cara Martin, Reagan Martin, Lillie Martin, Becka Sommersett and husband, Corey, and Geoffrey Ennis; great-grandson, Logan Sommersett; sisters, Ann Lowery of Raleigh, Cynthia Benson of Benson,  and Sandra Stewart of Smithfield; and many nieces and nephews.                The family will receive friends 12:30 PM-1:45 PM prior to the service at Beulah Hill Christian Church.             Flowers are welcomed; however, memorials may be sent to Beulah Hill Christian Church Memorial or Mission Fund, 1537 Keen Road, Four Oaks, NC 27524.