Virginia Lee "Gin" Martin

Mrs. Virginia Lee “Gin” Martin, age 82, of Evans, Georgia – and formerly of Winder, Georgia
for 18 years – passed away September 20, 2020, surrounded by family. Gin was the daughter of
the late Lester Paul Conaway and Nellie Agnes Conaway, and was raised in Elm Grove, West
Virginia. She was not named after her home state, but after her mother’s favorite candy store
in Wheeling, West Virginia. After graduating high school, Ginny joined the United States Air
Force and served until her marriage in 1958 to Jerry Martin, also serving in the USAF. Because
of Jerry’s USAF service of 26 years, she had the opportunity to travel and to experience life in
many different places, as well as truly “hold the fort down” when Jerry served four separate
year-long remote tours of duty. Gin was an excellent seamstress, cook, and handyman. We
lost count of the number of baby blankets and afghans crocheted and items of hand-sewn
clothing for both family and friends over many years. She prepared great southern and
authentic Polish meals and especially loved cooking for the offices in which she worked. She
was a wonderful mother, generous grandmother and doting great-grandmother. She enjoyed a
full, exciting life filled with many close friendships everywhere she lived and worked. She was a
team player, generous to a fault, loved to learn new things, and gave everything her best effort.
Gin endured very challenging health issues over many years of her life with an amazing,
inspirational spirit and outlook. Although frustrated that she could not do a lot of the things
she loved, she continued to search out activities to keep her mind young until the very end.
She was blessed by her friendships as a member of Winder First Baptist Church and the Naomi
Sunday School Class.
Surviving are her daughter, Debra Ann Birdseye (James) of Evans, Georgia; grandchildren
Kristen Leigh Barrett (Tim), David Aaron Henry, and Joshua Caleb Birdseye; and great
granddaughters, Briar Leigh Barrett and Sutton Ann Barrett. Also surviving are her beloved
sister, Anne Schoolar; sisters-in-law, Carleen Smith and Lisa Joney (Chris); and brother-in-law,
Almond Barnette; as well as many loving nieces, nephews and extended family. Gin was
preceded in death by her husband of 58 years, Jerry Randall Martin; her son, Randall Lee
Martin, as well as three brothers: Norman Conaway, Charles Conaway, and Lester Conaway,
and brothers-in-law Nick Smith and Richard Schoolar, and sister-in-law Jean Barnette.
Services celebrating Gin’s life and Interment will be held Saturday, September 26, 2020 at
10:00 AM at Barrow Memorial Gardens; Winder, Georgia. Flowers are accepted, or memorials
may be made to the Sit, Stitch Service at Winder First Baptist Church or St. Jude’s Hospital.