Laura "Kathy" Kathryn Martin

Kathy was born in Lawndale, North Carolina on September 16, 1942. Her parents were Taft Spurgeon Putnam and Ruby Warlick Putnam. She is survived by her caring husband, Dale Martin and three loving children, Laura Martin and wife Maryjohn Blanchard of Durham, NC, Beth Martin of Durham, NC and Matt Martin and wife Debbie Martin of Wake Forest, NC.

She is also survived by her sister, Rebecca Beam, and husband Con of Lake Norman, NC and her brother, Bob Putnam, and wife, Marilyn of Shelby, NC.

Emily, Jake, and Katie, her grandchildren, were the light of her life.

Kathy grew up in Lawndale, North Carolina and graduated from Piedmont High School where she played basketball and was voted ‘Miss Piedmont High’ her senior year. She graduated from Appalachian State Teachers College and went on to teach early education for almost 30 years. Kathy taught hundreds of students in Jefferson, GA, Fort Campbell, KY, Gastonia, NC and later Butner, NC where she was voted Teacher of the Year. Kathy was more than a teacher to the children she taught, staying in touch with many long after they left her classroom. While in Gastonia, she was also a Den Mother for many years in the scouting organization.

Kathy was a devoted Christian and member of Tabernacle Baptist Church in Raleigh, NC. She was very active in her Sunday School where some referred to her as the ‘Sunshine’ of the class. Kathy was also an active member of the church choir including the annual performance of the ‘Living Christmas Tree’.

Kathy loved to sing and play the piano and had a beautiful voice. She loved sitting on the beach watching the babies play and reading a good book. She loved her NC State Wolfpack, her Atlanta Braves, and ACC Basketball. Kathy was the most competitive one in the family. When asked recently if she wanted to play a favorite game, she replied, “Yes, but only if you can play it correctly”.

Our family is extremely grateful to her devoted caregivers, Mary Hinton, Gloria Dunston, and Clara Knight. We could not have asked for a more dedicated, loving, professional, sweet team of caregivers. Words cannot describe the depth of our gratitude for the loving care that they provided. We would also like to thank Transitions Life Care, in home hospice, for their invaluable support of Kathy.

The family welcomes donations to Kathy’s church as an expression of sympathy in lieu of flowers: Tabernacle Baptist Church, 8304 Leesville Road, Raleigh, NC 27613 or online at https://tabernacle-raleigh.org/.

A Recognition of Life service was held at Mitchell’s Funeral Home in Raleigh, North Carolina on September 13th, 2023.The service was broadcasted via Youtube channel Mitchell Funeral Home at RMP (link: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCiY56pGwbIKeD2ZM8DTyvFQ).

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