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Mr. Burnia Martin passed away at his home on Saturday, Oct. 5, at the age of 98. He was a lifelong resident of Washington Parish.

Mr. Martin was preceded in death by his faithful wife of 65 years, Mrs. Erma Crawford Martin. Together they had two daughters, Linda Sue Martin of Bogalusa and Burnadine (Eddie) Hebert of Lake Charles. They had one son, Jody Burnia Martin of Ashville, N.C. Mr. and Mrs. Martin had six grand-children. They are Ryan and Michael Williams, Burnia Ross and Danielle Martin, and Britt and Nicholas Drummond.

Mr. Martin was also preceded in death by his mother and father, Dewitt and Erie Martin, three sisters and an infant brother.

After the death of his wife, Mr. Martin married Marie Moffett. She has a daughter and son, Chanda Taylor and Edward McCain. Mrs. Marie has been a loving wife and care-taker. She, too, has several grandchildren and great grand-children.

Mr. Martin was employed at the local paper mill as an electrician for 31 years. After retiring, he worked as a jeweler for 18 years. He was an avid motorcycle enthusiast, being part of the Ride Home program.

Mr. Martin was a charter member and deacon of the Westside Emmanuel Baptist Church, where he taught Sunday School and sang in the choir for many years. He was a 60-year member of the Bogalusa Masonic Lodge. He served our country during World War II as an Eighth Air Force B17 bombadier. He was held prisoner of war in a German prison camp, Stalag 17, for two years.

Visitation will be held at Brown-McGehee Funeral Home on Wednesday, Oct. 9, from 5 p.m. until 9 p.m. A funeral service will be at Westside Emmanuel Baptist Church at 2 p.m., with visitation before the service. The Rev. Marcus Rosa and the Rev. Micah Mitchell will be leading the service. Bro. Waylon Mills will be in charge of the music.

A graveside service with military rites conducted by American Legion Post #24 will follow at Hillview Memorial Gardens.

Pallbearers serving will be Ryan Williams, Michael Williams, Britt Drummond, Nicholas Drummond, Burnia Ross Martin, Aaron Taylor and Scott McCain-Taylor.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Westside Emmanuel Baptist Church in Bogalusa.

The family would like to thank the workers of Canon Hospice and Southeast Home Health for their care during our father’s illness.