E. Martin Price

Sunset Memorial Park
Funeral Home and Crematory, LLC
1700 Barrington Rd. Midland City, AL
(334) 983-6604
Robert and Toni Byrd

www.SunsetMemorialPark.com

E. Martin Price, 90, of Pinckard, Al., passed away Sunday, April 28. 2013.

Funeral services will be held 11:00 am Wednesday, May 1, 2013 at Pinckard United Methodist Church with the Rev. Delbert Freeman and Anthony Tudor officiating. Burial will be in the Pinckard Memorial Cemetery with Robert Byrd directing. Visitation will be held from 6-8 pm Tuesday at Sunset Memorial Park Funeral Home, 1700 Barrington Road, Midland City, AL. Martin’s seven grandsons will serve as pallbearers.

Mr. Price was born February 17, 1923, in Ozark, AL. He was a son of the late William Porter and Susie Martin Price. He was a graduate of Carroll High School where he excelled in football. While sitting in Toomer’s Corner in December of his freshman year at Auburn University, he learned of the attack on Pearl Harbor. He immediately left college to enter the Army and serve his country. Having achieved the rank of Eagle Scout under the leadership of Harry Mixon, Martin attributed his scouting experiences, especially the bus trip out west, as key contributors to his preparation for WWII. Martin served in Company M-222nd Regent of the 42nd Rainbow Infantry Division. He served in France and the forests of Germany and was privileged to be part of the liberation of the Dachau Concentration Camp in Germany. His love for football was extended as he played for the Army. Upon his return to AL he married the love of his life, Kennette Dowling. They made their home in Pinckard where Martin owned Price Mercantile and was a partner in the local Ford dealership. He was the developer and President of Martindale Shopping Center and was General Manager of Price Farms. Martin was blessed to grow up and live his entire life in Dale County, where his great-great grandfather, Elisha Matthews, settled after moving from South Carolina and gave the land for Claybank Memorial Cemetery. His childhood friends remained his loyal friends for a lifetime. His love for the communities of Ozark and Pinckard is reflected in his many years of volunteer service: Director on Vivian B. Adams School Board (40 yrs.); original director and 50 yrs. as a Director for Commercial Bank; Ozark Rotary Club (30yrs.) and recipient of the Paul Harris Award; President of Claybank Memorial Cemetery Asso. (50yrs); President of Pinckard Memorial Cemetery (15yrs.); and was a member of the American United States Army (25yrs). As a longtime member of Pinckard United Methodist Church, Martin served as Chairman of Trustees, SS Superintendent, SS teacher, recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award, and service on the finance committee for many years. Martin was predeceased by his wife, Kennette Dowling, his brother and sister-in-law, Porter and Ann Price, brother-in-law, William Mullins, and great-granddaughter, Claire Dowling Howell.

Survivors include his children, Edward Martin Jr. (Beth), Kay Price Coker (Sam), John Raleigh (Sondra), Michael Dowling (Beth); 10 grandchildren: Martin (Stephanie), Wheeler (Melissa), Charles Price (Fiancée Maryann); Kate Howell (Michael), Hollis (Harriet) and Will (Jenny) Coker; Gunter (Kari Beth) and Raleigh (Christen) Price; Emily Kathryn and Melanie Price. He has 12 great-grandchildren: Emarie, Whit, Libby, Amelia, Natalie, Reaves, Briggs, Price, Ellie Ann, Adeline, Maralee, and John Turner. Siblings include sister, Dorothy Mullins, brothers Glenn (Shirley) and John (Sarah Margaret) and a host of nieces and nephews.

We will miss his stories, his jokes, his wisdom and generosity, and his love for God, family, country, and friends. Proverbs 13:22 says, “A good man leaves an inheritance to his children’s children.” Daddy was indeed a good man!

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Vivian B. Adams School, (2047 Stuart Tarter Road, Ozark, Al. 36360); Claybank Memorial Cemetery Asso. PO Box 946, Ozark (36361), or Pinckard Memorial Cemetery (P.O. Box 353, Pinckard Al 36371).

Robert Byrd of Sunset Funeral Home, (334) 983-6604, is in charge of arrangements. Please call us or visit www.SunsetMemorialPark.com for more information.