Kenneth Martin Obituary in Shelby at Enloe Mortuary

Obituary For Kenneth Martin

Pastor Kenneth Ray Martin Sr. was born September 23, 1952 to the late Janie Lee Newton Thomas and Willie D Thomas of Akron Ohio.

He was a 1970 graduate of the South High School in Akron Ohio. He attended the University of Ohio, Greensboro Bible College in Greensboro NC, Southeastern Seminary Extension Program in Nashville, TN; Gardner-Webb University in Boiling Springs, NC and Fruitland Bible Institute of Henderson, NC.

Pastor Martin was a paraprofessional at West Junior High School in Akron, Ohio for 2 years. before moving to Greensboro, NC where he worked as an Assistant Program Director of the Parks and Recreation. He held the position of Associate Minister of the New Light Baptist Church in Greensboro, NC under the leadership of Pastor Cardes Brown. He pastored the Oak Ridge Baptist Church in Oak Ridge, NC from 1978 – 1984 and Green Bethel Baptist Church in Boiling Springs, NC from 1984 - 1990. He was the former pastor of Maiden Chapel Baptist Church before becoming the pastor of the Golden Ridge Baptist Church where he pastored for 25 years as of October 24, 2021.

Pastor, was a God-fearing, humble, loving, supportive, respective, understanding, passionate, giving, trustworthy, dependable, reliable husband, father, pastor, cousin, uncle, brother, and friend. Most of all, he was a Preacher. Pastor started serving God at a early age. He preached his first sermon at the age of 15 years old and he had been spreading the good news ever since. He was a lead singer and director for the Hampton Miracle Jr’s of Akron, Ohio. He was also a member of The King Solomon Chorus and a Choir Director for Providence Baptist Church in Akron.

His religious affiliations included: the Ebenezer Baptist Association, the Black Ministerial Alliance of Gaffney, SC, General Baptist State Convention of USA and the College Minstrel Board of Associates of Gardner-Webb University. He was also a member of the NAACP and a recipient of the 2011 Service Award for Kingstown Community Organization for Concerned Citizens and a recipient of the 2011 Teen Summit Gold Award Gratification for Inspiration, Motivation and Dedication.

He was married to the former Shonetta Q. Mintz for 24 years. He has two children: Kendra Martin of Kingstown, NC and Kenneth Ray Martin Jr. of Shelby, NC; two stepchildren, Meagan Latrice Sanders ( Jeirdon) of Shelby, NC and Romey Alvin Mitchell Jr. of the home; two brothers Pastor James Michael Martin(Sharon) of Akron, Ohio and Nathan Martin of Windham, Ohio; six grandchildren: Kentez Martin, Demorreay Surratt, Chancellor Martin, Farri Martin, Zane Thompson and Ashton Sanders; two greatgrandchildren, Zorian Hopper and Kasey Lackey. mother-in-law: Patricia P. Mintz; one great aunt, Mother Ella Mae Watson; one great uncle, Deacon Donald Camp (Nanette); four godsons: Kaleb Brooks, Tavashia Rice, Ayden Thompson and Kaleb Webber; two goddaughters, Shericka Thompson and A’Niya Hopper; a special niece: Teneya Perkins as well as a host of other relatives and friends.

Pastor Martin, believed that “To Be A Good Friend, One Must First Show Himself Friendly” and “I Can Do All Things Through Christ Who o Strengthens Me”( Philippians 4:13

The funeral service for Mr. Martin will be held on Saturday, November 13, 2021 at 2:00 PM at Palmer Grove Baptist Church. Burial will take place at Golden Ridge Baptist Church Cemetery. The service will be live-streamed on Facebook starting at 1:45 PM. The family will receive friends from 1:30 PM until 2:00 PM on Saturday, November 13, 2021 at the church and other times at 121 Oak Avenue Shelby.

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My deepest condolences to the Martin family. May the Lord comfort and strengthen you in your time of sorrow.
God Bless & Love you all Chandra

To the family of Pastor Kenneth Martin, prayers are with you at this difficult time. I've heard Pastor Martin preach what an annointed man. To be absent from the body is to present with the Lord. Remember him always as he rest in peace. Elder Floyd and Ozella Frye

Thinking of you my prayers and condolences to the entire family.
Joyce Parks

My prayers and condolences to the entire family Much Love.
Joyce Parks

The Trotter/Allison/Wilkerson family of Las Vegas we send our Deepest and Sincere Condolences to you and the family. May God comfort you all and give you peace for your souls. We're are praying for you!!! Love your Las Vegas Family...Alice, Margret, Sonny, and Gayla

Prayers and comfort to the Martin family 🙏🙏🙏. May God give all of you strength, comfort and joy doing this time of sadness. Rest In Peace ☮️ Rev. Martin! To be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord.🙏❤️ Jackie H. Of Kingstown NC

To the family of our pastor for some time at the Oakridge First Baptist church, we our deeply sorry to hear of the passing of of Rev. Martin. I look back on the times the family shared in our Sunday dinner at my grandparents house Sam and Dot Waynick I myself was just a child but was there when Jr was born. So on behalf of the Waynick family know that we are praying for you and want to thank you for the memories we will cherish. God bless and continue to keep you. Min. Dr. Derrick S Herbin

To the family of Kenneth Ray Martin Sr. ((best known affectionately as Kenny) never would I have dreamed this would happen so soon and so young. You mean and meant so much to me. The things we shared, enjoyed, the memories I never will forget. Well you really preached your own home going. You're at home now, I'll see you we'll be together again. To the entire Martin family in Shelby and around the country, my deepest sincere condolences and sympathy goes out to this great family. You know my prayers are covering you, remain Strong and Courageous! Love God, Love People! God never fail! LU2L!💙🙏🏿 Your Loving Brother, Over J. Michael Martin Sr.

To Kendra, Kenneth Jr., Lady Shonetta, and the rest of the Martin/Golden Ridge Church Family: Please accept my deepest sympathies on the passing of your loved. Pastor Martin will always serve as a foundation of my youth at Green Bethel, and was always considered an extended member of the Edwards family. May you all find comfort in the peace that is God. - Acórea D. Sims

Peace be with the Martin Family the passing of your love one will always be remembered around the community and other churches as well as his own church family. Rev Martin was well known and will never be forgotten so RIP. Mary Dorsey Sims Family

Our sincere condolences and fervent prayers extended to Lady Shonetta Martin, his children, Golden Ridge Baptist Church and the entire Martin family. Rev. Kenneth Martin Sr. served as a pillar in the community and region. He will be missed greatly. May the God of all peace keep you now and in the days to come. Victory Temple Outreach Center - Pastor Quintarro Smith

We are praying for yall family thru this hard time Lord wrap your arms around them thru this time we love yall much Van and Mook

To the Family of Rev. Kenneth Martin Our Prayers are extended to you as you experience the passing of your Beloved one, who carried so many titles. Spiritual Leader, Husband, Father, Provider...... Know that God has a plan to comfort you as you travel on the road to the future. The teachings of Rev. Martin will support you and secure your way in times to come. We Love You Dearly!
The Family of Thomasene Mintz Betty Mintz Padgett

On the behalf of Bishop John Brintley, Co-Pastor Veronica Brintley and the entire Bethlehem Temple Church family we send our condolences to the Martin family and the Golden Ridge Church family. Please know that your are in our thoughts and prayers during this time of bereavement. If you need anything don't hesitate to reach out to us. May God be with you all. 🙏🏾

So sorry for your loss. May the peace that only our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ can give forever reign in your lives. You and your family are in our thoughts and prayers.
The Fuller Family

To the family of the late Rev. Kenneth Martin. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your entire family. May God comfort you during this time.
Pastor James A. Webster and the Oak Ridge Church Family

So Sorry to hear.My condolences to the Family. Rev.Martin was such a good person. He will be missed .You really meet great people in life and he was one.RIP Rev.Martin D.Bouleware Owner. E.Essence Fine Oils and Incense.Dallas NC

Sorry to hear about Reverend Martin's passing. My Condolences to the Entire Family. Brenda Jeter

You will truly be miss my son and I are forever grateful for you being his God father because you love him no matter what he did you took up for him and he is for ever grateful you taught him stuff about bible he didn't understand we love and miss you and I will take care of my Girlfriend