The Akins Funeral Home of Blue Ridge announces funeral services for Mr. Robert Lee Martin of the Cherokee Hills community of the Copper Basin, passed away on Thursday, the 25th of October, 2007 at the St. Joseph's Hospital in Atlanta, GA. He was the son of the late Robert Winfield and Emma Jean Coleman Martin of Unaka.He was born on May 3, 1922 in Cherokee County, North Carolina. It was with tremendous pride that he served his country during World War II in both the Army and the Air Force. For his efforts he was awarded three bronze stars.Most of Robert's employment was in the mining departments of the Tennessee Copper Company, Cities Service, and Tennessee Chemical Companies. After his retirement in 1984, he enjoyed being involved in church and veterans activities. Robert was a member of the First Baptist church in Blue Ridge, Georgia. He enjoyed witnessing to others and sharing his love of God. For a number of years he served as commander of the American Legion Post #248 in McCaysville, Georgia. Robert was Junior Vice Commander of District Nine and was Legionnaire of the Year in 1990. He was a life member of the American Legion, Disabled American Veterans, and Veterans of Foreign Wars. Mr. Martin was instrumental in the formation of the North Georgia Honor Guard and was very active until his health began to fail.Mr. Martin is survived by his loving wife, Diane Martin; three daughters, Robin Boehning of Ducktown, TN, Shirley Johnson of Columbus, GA and Charlotte Dixon of Sugar Hill, GA; three sons, Winford Gerald Martin of Charlottesville, VA, Gold W. Martin of Dawsonville, GA and Troy L. Martin of Harrison, TN; two sisters, Emogene Patterson of Murphy, NC and Nora McMahan of Lexington, NC; three brothers, Arnold Martin of Ball Ground, GA, Austin Martin of Franklin, NC and Howard Martin of Murphy, NC; ten grandchildren and five great grandchildren.Funeral services will be conducted on Saturday October 27, 2007 at 11:00 a.m. from the Harbor Ministries Church in McCaysville, GA with Rev. Denise Caldwell and Rev. Ernest German officiating. Music will be provided by Kim Fleming, Phyllis Falls and the Harbor Ministries Choir. Pallbearers will be William R. Johnson, Tyler T. Boehning, L.H. Long, Danny Calwell, Lamar O'Neal, and U.H. Taylor. Graveside services will be held Monday, October 29, 2007 at 12 noon in the Georgia National Cemetery in Canton, GA. The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Friday evening from 6-9 p.m. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.akinsfuneralhome.com. Akins Funeral Home of Blue Ridge, GA is in charge of the arrangements.