Ricky Alan Martin

Ricky Alan Martin, 68, of Beckley, passed away Monday, February 13, 2023. He was born September 8, 1954 to the late Clifford Lyndel Martin and the late Ruth Edwards Martin. He was also preceded in death by his son, Nicholas Paul Martin; a sister, Robin Martin Hicks, a niece or nephew, Baby Brakefield; in-laws, Cecil and Marth Richards and James K. Powell.

Rick was the beloved husband and best friend of his one and only love of 48 years, Robin Lester Martin. Beloved father of Patrick Alan Martin and wife Erica of Harper, grandfather to Christopher Rupe and fiancé Grace Massey of Huntington, Skyla Martin at home, Jazzmyne and Quintin both of Harper, a sister, Ronda Martin Brakefield and her husband Jonathan of Coal City, a brother, Randy Lyndel Martin and his wife Genny of Old Eccles Road. His mother-in-law, Patsy Lester Powell of Lindside along with 5 brothers-in-law, James Jubal, William Rodney, Andrew Michael, Matthew Thomas and Joseph Boyd Powell and their families. He also had 4 dearly loved cats along with many nieces and nephews and aunts and uncles and friend Isaac Celaya of Tucson, AZ.

Rick was a 1972 graduate of Stoco High School and continued to further his education at Beckley College. Rick was a man of many talents. Before beginning a career with Eastern Associated Coal Company and Peabody Mining, he worked several jobs while attending college. After 13 years with the coal industry during which time he continued his education, he went to work for the Justice Department until retirement due to health issues and he traveled the United States and was instrumental in helping to get the American Disabilities Act become a law in 1990.

During all these years his true calling and passion was preaching God’s Word. Rick pastored churches in the area including Harper Heights Missionary Baptist Church, Sturgeon Branch Baptist Church and Stanaford Road Baptist Church. He probably led a thousand or more souls to the Lord. It would only take him a few minutes of meeting anyone to find out if they were a Christian.

Rick lived life to the fullest through simple pleasure, chatting with friends and discussing the bible, playing or traveling with his grandchildren, fiddling on something at the house or watching a western. He enjoyed a cookout or a church dinner. He had a beautiful voice and loved playing his guitar, mandolin or fiddle to Bluegrass or Southern Gospel Music. One of his greatest joys was helping people. He had a broken heart for the homeless, the drug and alcohol addicts, feral cats and dogs and the Humane Society. He was working on writing a book but became ill and did not get to finish it.

A celebration of his life will be 2pm, Saturday, February 18, 2023 at Stanaford Road Baptist Church, 575 Stanaford Rd. in Beckley. Visitation with the family will be one hour prior to the service.

Rick’s life was truly a “Life Well Lived”.