Bobby Cole Martin, Sr., was born on September 2, 1934 to Brunie and Etta Martin in Gibson, North Carolina. He was one of three children; older sister, Conester, and younger brother, Marcell. He attended Laurinburg Institute, a historic African American Prep School, where he developed a love of sports. After graduating, he went to Fayetteville State University on a football scholarship, where he earned his bachelor's degree and became a brother of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. Shortly thereafter, he traveled to Indiana to pursue his master's degree and later his post-graduate degree at Indiana University.
Bobby's first job was at C.G. White High School in Powellsville, North Carolina where he taught and coached. In 1963, he left North Carolina for Hampton, Virginia to begin a lifelong career at Hampton University (Hampton Institute). For 36 years, he lived his dream of doing a job that he truly loved. He woke up at 4AM everyday in order to walk, exercise, eat and shower all before his 8AM class, just like his daughter does today. Bobby worked as a health professor, served as an assistant football coach, and later became the head coach of the baseball team. Under his leadership, the Hampton baseball team won the CIAA Championships in 1972 and Bobby was named "Coach of
the Year." For more than two decades, he directed the National Youth Sports Program that combined sports, educational enrichment, nutrition and health services to economically disadvantaged children during summer break. Bobby was a member of the Hampton University Quarter-Century Club,an honor that recognizes faculty and staff who have worked at the esteemed University for a minimum of 25 years. Ask any Hampton grad about Bobby and they will remember him with a smile.
Bobby also served as a deacon of the Hampton University Memorial Chapel. He was the youngest deacon when he started and the oldest at the end of his tenure. Week after week Bobby took such pride in helping the church run smoothly.
In 1974, Bobby married Peggy Phillips, his "beautiful wife," as he called her. For 46 years, Bobby and Peggy lived their best lives. Together they had two wonderful children, Bobby "Marty" Cole Martin Jr. and Tanisha "Lee" Burks. He loved nothing more than collecting baseball cards with Marty and rooting Lee on in basketball. He never missed a game. Within the past four years, Bobby became a grandfather "PopPop" to his three grandchildren, two boys and one girl. Bobby loved his family and his family loved him. Both boys are named in his honor.
In his retirement, Bobby spent much of his time playing golf, burning the midnight oil playing Pinochle alongside Jean and Colon Oliver, and making silly faces for his grandchildren. In 2017, the Athletic Department of Hampton University honored Bobby with the Hampton Nation Impact Award.
On Thursday, December 3, 2020 Bobby was summoned to his heavenly home at the age 86 after a long battle with Alzheimer's. Treasuring his life, he leaves his wife Peggy Martin, son Bobby C. Martin, Jr. (Jennifer), daughter Tanisha Lee Burks (Kermit); three grandchildren, Hezekiah Cole Burks (4), Madie Olivia Burks (4), Bobby Cole Kinon Martin (1) and countless other relatives, friends, and Hampton alumni.
The family wishes to acknowledge the contributions and support of all those at Hospice of Virginia, specifically Andrea and Chanel; as well as his caregivers Sherrie and Tina.
Due to CDC regulations pertaining to COVID19 restrictions, family will celebrate Bobby's life with a private memorial service.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the Virginia Peninsula Food Bank via this link
hrfoodbank.org
.
If you would like to observe the private service please join the Zoom Meeting on Tuesday, December 8, 2020 at 3:00 PM at:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89216277290pwd=NUZVREJUdGEyWDJuSEd2M29scXVmQT09
Meeting ID: 892 1627 7290
Passcode: 144586
Join by phone +1 301 715 8592 US
Meeting ID: 892 1627 7290
Passcode: 144586
