On Saturday morning, September 16, 2023, at 1:00am, a gentle and quietly loving woman named Carolyn discovered, to her utter surprise, just how extraordinary she was. On that Saturday morning, after dealing with a period of declining health, Carolyn Leigh Martin quietly left for Heaven from Sovah Health in Danville, VA, after being surrounded in a loving circle by family. She was immediately led to the fair Country filled with the blazing glory and love of Jesus Christ. Carolyn was born on August 26, 1946, in Bassett, VA to Percy and Mamie Stone and then spent her childhood in the Stone's Dairy area with her brothers Foy and Lee, and her sister Barbara Ann. Carolyn enjoyed being a kid in the country, riding horses, and traveling. She graduated from John D. Bassett High School in 1964. After high school, she explored beautician school and did office work at companies such as Gravely Furniture in Ridgeway, VA.

Early in her twenties, Carolyn trusted Jesus Christ for her salvation, a decision which shaped the rest of her life. In her mid-twenties, Carolyn worked at Kmart in Martinsville where, one fateful afternoon, Robert Martin met the pretty and quiet brunette and fell in love with her. Within four short months they married on June 15, 1973 (in Eden, NC because Robert, 17, was too young to be married in Virginia). Carolyn had certainly married a younger man but, as she later told her daughters with a giggle, "When I met him, I liked his manly voice." Robert and Carolyn began their married life deeply in love and deeply committed to making God the priority in their home. They attended Spring Street Baptist Church in Martinsville, VA. Soon they began building their family, having three daughters—Anne, Charlotte, and Beth. In 1984, Carolyn happily took on the role of caregiving when cousin Ileene Plybon, in her 70s, moved in. Ileene brought even more love and fun to the Martin household; she adored Carolyn and never failed to let her know how she appreciated her. But Carolyn was humble and underestimated it all.

Homemaking and mothering were Carolyn's happy place. She devoted her free time to her family, making home a warm nest, helping their daughters learn the Bible and paving the way for their daily life, modeling for them what it meant to be a servant by singing in the choir, working in the nursery, and visiting the elderly. Carolyn noticed nothing special about what she did for all the people in her life. But they did. Several years later, Carolyn and Robert found themselves to be empty nesters and Carolyn supported Robert as pastor's wife as he pastored Gospel Baptist Church in Bassett, VA and then Grace Baptist Church in Dublin, VA. Later, she helped Robert as he served in ministry at Spring Street Baptist church and their present church home, Bible Baptist Church in Collinsville, VA.

Carolyn was blessed with five grandchildren, in whom she deeply delighted. Nannie/Nana was the one they went to for snuggles, hugs, books, and puzzles. In later life, she learned to crochet from her doting mother-in-law who loved her as her own daughter. Carolyn crocheted piles of scarves, toboggans, potholders, and socks for all her loved ones, as well as blankets for her grandchildren. Though made quietly, each item shouted, "I love you." As usual, Carolyn, humble and unassuming, had no idea how loved she made everyone feel. But at 1:00am, in a comfortable hospital room in Danville, Virginia, Jesus came to take Carolyn Home. The words "Well done" would not be something she'd naturally expect. But we can only imagine that as she fell and worshipped her beautiful Savior, she must have seen, with sudden clarity, what so many people have seen all along: the extraordinary quiet beauty of the life of love she lived, day after day. Now, finally Home, she's enjoying herself beyond the wildest imagination.

Family members who have preceded Carolyn in death include her father Percy Lee Stone and mother Mamie Ann Stone of Bassett, VA; cousin Ileene Plybon of Martinsville, VA; father-in-law Lucian "Bub" Roach of Martinsville, Va.; and father-in-law Elmer Martin, Sr of Basset, VA. Carolyn is survived by beloved husband Robert Martin of Collinsville, VA.; loving daughters Anne (Tim) Gross of Winston-Salem, NC; Charlotte (Josh) Jacobs of Kernersville, NC; and Beth M. Martin of Rice, VA. She leaves behind five adoring grandchildren: Michaela Hope Gross of Winston-Salem, NC; and Elijah Mark Jacobs, Abigail Leigh Jacobs, Paige Marie Jacobs, and Reagan Luke Jacobs, all of Kernersville, NC. Carolyn is survived by all three of her siblings: Foy (Stacy) Stone of Myrtle Beach, SC; Barbara Ann Stovall of Martinsville, VA; and Lee (Kym) Stone of Appomattox, VA. Carolyn also leaves behind her beloved mother-in-law Doris Roach of Martinsville, VA. Also surviving are Carolyn's siblings-in-law Lou Martin of Boones Mill, VA; Elmer "Elmo" Martin, Jr. of Martinsville, VA; Larry Martin of Martinsville, VA; and Sherri Martin of Springfield, VA. In addition to those left behind are numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and lifelong friends.

The family will be available to receive friends from 12:00 - 1:00pm at Roselawn Chapel Funeral Home and Burial Park (103 Clearview Dr., Martinsville, VA 24112) on Friday, September 22, 2023. The funeral service will be held at 1:00pm with Pastor Raymond Moorefield officiating; burial service will take place immediately afterward at Roselawn Burial Park. There will also be an opportunity during the service to share stories and memories about Carolyn so that we all can process our relationship with her and our love for her.

Special appreciation is due to staff at Stanleytown Health and Rehabilitation in Bassett, VA; Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital in Roanoke, VA; and Sovah Health in Danville, VA, who gave Carolyn excellent care. We are especially thankful to Pastor and Mrs. Raymond Moorefield and the congregation of Bible Baptist Church in Collinsville, VA for all their love and support as Robert and Carolyn's local church family.