Obituary of Virginia T. Martin
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Dr. Virginia T. Martin (born Julien) was born in Milwaukee, FL on November 22, 1942 and died in Boone, NC on October 14, 2013 at age 70. She showed great courage and fortitude in living with the effects and treatments of breast cancer and Parkinson's disease. A gathering and memorial service will be held for family and friends on Saturday, October 26th from 1:00 2:00 pm at her home, 346 Park St., Boone, NC.
Dr. Martin was one of two children born to Oliver and Theresa Julien. She raised five children: Mary (Jacksonville, FL), Dan (St. Augustine, FL), Ann (Boone, NC), Beth (Boone, NC), and Pete (Leesburg,VA), known collectively as the Wrecking Crew. Virginia moved from Wisconsin to Tampa, FL where she completed her Bachelor's degree and later earned a Master's degree in Medical Anthropology at the University of South Florida.
Following her marriage to William F. Martin, she moved to Boone, NC. Taking classes and teaching at Appalachian State University, Virginia earned a second Master's degree in Sociology. With a fellowship from Appalachian, she attended the University of South Carolina at Columbia, completing a Ph.D. in Sociology. She continued to teach at Appalachian until her retirement.
Virginia excelled as an educator; first as a teacher and role model to her children, later as a college instructor and professor, and then in retirement as a volunteer at Two Rivers Community School in Boone where some of her grandchildren attend school. She also volunteered with the Community Care Clinic. Her devotion to family drew her children and grandchildren to her. The love and wisdom she shared is a treasure beyond value. She is survived by her husband, contractor and author, Bill Martin, her brother, Oliver Julien (Boone, NC) and her five children and their families, including nine grandchildren. She is missed by all of them.
In lieu of flowers, donations honoring Dr. Martin can be made to the Two Rivers Community School Legacy Fund, 1018 Archie Carroll Road, Boone, NC 28607 (trcsboone.org/give).