(Due to Covid-19 concerns, all ​who attend the Funeral Services are REQUIRED to wear a face mask and practice social distancing)

Minister Cleveland Martin, Sr. 77 of Asheville, North Carolina, made his transition from this world into his eternal home on July 1, 2021 at John Keever Solace Center. He was preceded in death by his parents Felix and Sadie Bell Martin, and brother, James W. Martin, a daughter Lakiesha Martin and granddaughter Daquanya Forney. 

He was born in Abbeyville, South Carolina and moved to Waynesville, North Carolina at a very young age. After graduating from Reynolds High School in Canton, NC, he was employed with Champion Paper Co. and later started his own business (Martin’s Upholstery & Interiors) for more than 40 years. He used his expertise in various places throughout North Carolina, including Grove Park Inn, many local doctor’s offices and churches. He also taught Upholstery classes at Haywood Technical College and Asheville Buncombe Technical College. Minister Martin was called and licensed into the Ministry in December 1987 and ordained by the Mudd Creek Baptist Association in October 2000. He attended Seminary at Shaw University Divinity School. He served as Associate Pastor at St. Paul Missionary Baptist Church for more than 15 years prior to becoming Pastor of Mt. Olive Missionary Baptist Church, Mars Hill, NC in 2002 and served for 13 years before his health began to decline. 

In 2016 Minister Martin joined Sycamore Temple Church of God in Christ where he loved Sunday School and Bible Study, and also the church where he met his beloved wife. His favorite past time was working on various projects, building and repairing things. He always believed that he could do all things through Christ who strengthened him.

Left to cherish his memory is his wife of 34 years and love of his life Dorothy, brothers Pastor George Martin (Ivory) of Yuma, AZ and Adolphus Martin (Mary) of Independence, VA., sisters Ruth Elrazky of Asheville, NC, Lunia Williams (Sylvester) of Canton, NC, Lula Belle Leigh of Waynesville, NC, sons Cleveland Martin, Jr. (LyWanda), Dama Martin (Kellie), Robert Caldwell (Crystal), Randell Caldwell (Alisa), and daughter Reashanda Walters of Atlanta, GA,19 grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren, along with a host of nieces, nephews other relatives and friends. He was a giving and loving man and will be greatly missed by many.

A Funeral Service to honor the life of Minister Cleveland Martin, Sr. will be held at Nazareth First Baptist Church located on 146 Pine Street in Asheville, Saturday, July 10th at 2:00pm. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service. Viewing will be held on Thursday, July 8th from 12pm - 5pm, and Friday, July 9th from 12pm - 7pm at Avery's Memorial Chapel, located at 542 Hendersonville Rd, Asheville. The service will be live streamed on Avery's Memorial Chapel's FB page.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Cleveland Martin, Sr., please visit our floral store.