Joseph Frederick Martin, Jr.

Joseph (Joe) Frederick Martin, Jr. was born on May 25, 1952 in Dayton, Ohio to the union of the late Soonie Mae and Joe Fred Martin, Sr. He was their youngest and only son. He attended Dayton Public Schools, graduated valedictorian of Roosevelt High in 1970, spent a semester at Morehouse College and completed his Bachelor of Science at Wright State University in 1975. In 1972 he had a son, Jato C. Smith with his first love, Amanda J. Smith. Jato, his only child, meant the world to Joe and he cared for him with pride and joy. In 1979, Joe relocated to Detroit, Michigan where he first learned of the "True Gospel of the Kingdom" and Yahweh, Elohim, Yahshua by attending classes at the Institute of Divine Metaphysical Research (IDMR). He served as the President of the Southfield IDMR branch for many years. Joe's career while in Detroit, Michigan involved cash register sales for NCR, then computer and mainframe sales for IBM. He later became involved in building restoration - including a project in an historical area of Dayton, Ohio and land and housing development with a large-scale project in rural Atlanta, Georgia. He later moved to Atlanta, Georgia and before his passing had just begun working on another land development project. In October of 1988 Joe met Pamela Lewis through a mutual friend. After dating over 20 years, Joe and Pamela married on September 22, 2007 in Lithionia, Georgia, and through this bond there was a blending of families, which includes stepson, Tremayne Lewis, stepdaughter, Javay Smith, mother-in-law, Rosalee Lewis, and seven grandchildren: Tremayne, Jr., Jaevion, Saniya, Mykhel, Skylar, Bailee, and MyDream. Joe moved to Atlanta, Georgia to live with his wife and family in September 2014. Joe departed this life on Saturday, March 17, 2018 at Piedmont Hospital in Atlanta, Georgia. He leaves to cherish his memory: wife, Pamela Lewis, his devoted son, Jato; two sisters, JoAnne and Vera Martin, stepson, Tremayne, stepdaughter, Javay​ (Jamal​)​ Smith; great-nephew, William (Billy) Martin with whom he had a cherished connection; as well as, a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, step-grandchildren, and friends. Funeral Service will be held on Saturday, March 24, 2018 at Harvest Grove Baptist Church, 3323 Highview Hills Road, Dayton, Ohio 45417. Visitation will begin at 12:00 p.m. with the service at 1:00 p.m. Interment: Dayton National Cemetery on Monday, March 26, 2018. Final arrangements entrusted to the Jerry W. Kinley Funeral Home.