Justin Keith Martin

Services for Justin Keith Martin will be held Saturday, February 4, 2017 at 5:00 p.m. at Robert Barham Family Funeral Home, with Reverend John Branning officiating.

Mr. Martin, age 25, of Meridian passed away Thursday, February 2, 2017 in Kemper County.

Justin Keith Martin could not wait 40 weeks – he came roaring into this world 8 weeks early to Keith Martin and Marsha Williams. Born on the 5th of May, 1991, Justin was a preemie, fighting for his life and struggling for each breath. At 4 pounds, 4 ounces, Justin immediately brought joy into the lives of everyone he touched. Our first son, Our first grandson, and Our first time to weep with joy and thanksgiving. Justin was the perfect firstborn – always trying to meet our expectations and always giving his all to hear the words “good job son” and “proud of you son”.

Justin attended Northcrest Baptist Preschool and then went on to Northeast Lauderdale where he found himself and developed a group of friends that loved and supported his every endeavor. Justin, being a bit reserved, was not the center of attention but was always surrounded by encouraging, genuine, and loving friends. These friends became Justin’s family. We think Justin chose good friends but maybe they chose him, either way, they walked the path of life with him and helped him grow into a fine young man. We are grateful for and appreciate this family!

Justin had the opportunity to work at Winn Dixie, Truckers Supply, and Cooper Concrete. He was very grateful for the opportunities and the learning experiences, but Justin wanted to try something else. So, he decided to try Meridian Community College. After only a year, he grew restless and began looking for something different. He secured a job with Rowan working on an offshore rig named Cecil Provine. Justin was happy and successful! That was enough for us. Again, Justin found another group of friends that became his family. This family named him “Skinny”. After 5 years with Rowan, Justin moved earlier this year to Independence Contract Drilling. He was excited about his new opportunity and we are sure he would have become part of another family there at Independence Contract Drilling. Thank you for taking care of and loving our “Skinny”. We are grateful for and appreciate this family!

Justin, taking after his Pop, started following Nascar – more specifically, Jeff Gordon. He wanted the t-shirts, the cars, and all the other Jeff Gordon stuff. He even wanted to drive the number 24 car when he grew up.

Justin loved baseball – the Atlanta Braves – Chipper Jones. He loved the game and the players and wanted to grow up to play professional baseball with the Braves. His love of Nascar and the Braves quickly vanished when introduced to the outdoors. His love of the outdoors and the challenge, excitement, and anticipation of hunting consumed Justin. Living the outdoors and hunting became his passion. Justin began to embrace his newfound passion with an obsession that made him grin from ear to ear showing off his handsome young smile of his. When Justin told stories of his hunting adventures, and when he was planning his next hunting adventure, he was so happy and content. Justin traveled all over the U.S. and even made a trip to Mexico to hunt. Justin was all about the Turkey Grand Slam and almost got him a Royal Slam if not for missing the Osceola. And it happened again, Justin now had another family – a group of friends all over the U. S. that loved outdoors as much as he did. Friends that texted, snapped, and facebooked our Justin. We are grateful for and appreciate this family!

Yes, we are totally devastated. We are heartbroken to lose our Justin! Justin had a very tragic accident, but he passed doing what he loved to do – in the outdoors having fun with his friends. Driving the dirt roads, listening to country music (& occasional rock song on Octane), and telling hunting stories with his family that we called his friends. We are pretty sure Justin was smiling, maybe even grinning, right up to the point when he was so abruptly taken from us.

We are thankful, so thankful for the opportunity to love him but more
importantly to be loved by Justin. To be hugged and sometimes squeezed by him. To be kissed on the cheek. To be told that you were loved. To be told that you were missed. We were weeping when he was given to us that Sunday afternoon in May and we were weeping when he was taken from us that Thursday afternoon in February. We are joyful because we know we will see him again in heaven because of his profession of faith on the 8th of June, 2000.

There are so many things….

Justin is survived by his mother, Marsha Gay Williams; his father, Keith Edward Martin; brother, Jordan Kade Martin; grandmother, Sarah (Bettie) Martin and his Pop, Jessie Williams; Grammy, Betty Williams; Uncle, Mark Williams (Gay), Darron Martin (Robin); Aunt, Daphne Etheridge (Morris); cousins, Ben Williams, Tim Williams, Olivia Martin, Victoria Martin, John Thomas Etheridge, and William Etheridge.

He was preceded in death by his Grandfather, Robert Joseph Martin.

Family and friends may sign the online guestbook at robertbarhamffh.com.

Pallbearers will be David Zabenski, Darren Brown, Tyler Blackwell, Matt Roberts, Colden Harden, Adam Moore.

Visitation will be held Saturday, February 4, 2017 from 3:00 p.m. till 5:00 p.m. at Robert Barham Family Funeral Home.