Iris Fay Martin

Iris Fay Cox Martin, age 89 of Beckley went to be with our Lord on July 27, 2021.
Born in Beckley on July 5, 1932, she was the daughter of the late Thornton Devore Cox and Alma Critchley Cox and had resided in the Beckley area all her life.
Mrs. Martin was a devoted and loving wife, mother, grandmother, sister, mother-in-law, sister-in-law, cousin, aunt, and a dear friend to many. She was a member of Memorial Baptist Church and the Outreach Sunday School Class. She was a published writer and poet. She loved the outdoors…picnics, nature walks, fishing, camping, watching the moon and stars and especially ocean therapy. Another favorite activity was playing and singing gospel music with her family. She also very much enjoyed karaoke. Her goal in life was to be a role model to the family and friends, and a loving companion and caretaker to her beloved husband. She believed in treating others the way she wished to be treated.
A stenographer by trade, Iris started working at National Mine Service Company upon graduation from Woodrow Wilson High School. She met her future husband there. The couple married on February 1, 1953, at Memorial Baptist Church and their union lasted more than 50 years. Mrs. Martin also worked at Beckley Mental Health Center, United Mine Workers of America, the Beckley VA Medical Center and the National Mine Health and Safety Academy. She was an ambitious and dedicated employee at all her jobs, but her family was always her career. Nothing gave her more pleasure than being within the family circle and with cherished friends.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Charles C. Martin, Jr. and three sisters and one brother.
She is survived by two daughters, Kathy Martin Lytton, Connie Martin Anderson, and husband Ted “Snitz” Anderson; sons, Stephen C. Martin, Jeffrey A. Martin and wife Sarah; grandchildren, William David Lytton, Jon Michael Lytton, Jordan Charles Martin, Ariauna Gabriel Martin, Lance Stephen Martin, Connor Stephen Anderson and Katharine Fay Elizabeth Anderson; great-grandchildren, Ryker Colton Ball, Rylee Cole Ball, Mackenzie Rose Hunt, Wesley Grey Lytton; three sisters; three brothers and numerous nieces and nephews.

A celebration of Mrs. Martin’s life will be held at 3:00 pm. Saturday, July 31, 2021, in the Calfee Funeral Home Chapel with Dr. James Boyd officiating. Burial will follow in the Wildwood Cemetery. Friends may visit with the family one hour prior to service.
Arrangements by Calfee Funeral Home.