Ninnan Pack Martin

Ninnan (Mae) Pack Martin passed away Saturday, August 15 after 93 years of a life well lived. She was born in Mount Airy, NC on March 21, 1933 to Quillie Armston and Oma Etta Bowman Pack. Survivors include her son David (Newbern, VA) and daughter Kelli Mowbray and her husband Rick (Roanoke, VA), and many loving nieces and nephews.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband of 61 years, Billy Franklin Martin; her brother, Wayne Pack; and two sisters, Zeo Stone and Delsie Aldridge.

After Ninnan graduated from Mount Airy High School, she started work for Northwestern Bank. She grew up attending Flatrock Presbyterian Church and remained there when she married Bill in 1955. In 1966, they moved to Galax and transferred their membership to the Galax Presbyterian Church where she could be found seated in the same pew every Sunday. During her 60 years of service, she served as a Deacon, an Elder, a Sunday School Teacher, an active participant with the Woman of the Church at both the local and Presbytery level, and provided help with the Nursery when needed. Even when she wasn’t an officer of the church, she prided herself on greeting visitors each week and welcoming them.

The family joined the Galax Y’s Mens Club where Ninnan was a Y’s Menette. The club brought them together with many of their closest friends through their shared service to community. They both worked JV and Varsity Football Concessions, parked cars during the Galax Old Fidder’s Convention, and many other money making endeavors to help fund the Galax Y’s Men’s Community Christmas Chest (now known as the Community Christmas Food Fund) to feed local families each year.

Over the years, she spent time traveling with her family. Some of her favorite trips were their 40th anniversary trip that including visiting Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks, traveling to Hawaii for her daughter’s wedding, and later to Nova Scotia with a couple of Y’s Men Club friends. She also played golf for many years and loved their Friday Scotch Foursome outings. Most Saturdays, you would find her on an adventure to an area restaurant…somewhere. She also enjoyed winter shopping trips to Myrtle Beach for shows and seafood and at least one annual trip to her happy place, White Lake, NC.

Ninnan retired in 2017 after more than 30 years of service at the Galax Public Library at 84. She loved seeing young families come in with children for Story Hour, visiting with patrons young and old, and befriending her coworkers. Prior to the library, she worked for Burlington Industries and Dixon Lumber Company. She formed lasting bonds with her work colleagues.

Ninnan believed in service to the community. She served the Lord, her church, her family, and her community with dedication, love, and commitment lasting over 75 years.

Arrangements have been made through Vaughan-Guynn Funeral Home. Family will receive friends at Galax Presbyterian Church Fellowship Hall on Saturday, August 22 beginning at 1:00pm with a Celebration of Life in the church sanctuary at 2:00pm. A graveside service will follow at Felts Memorial Cemetery. Flowers are appreciated. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Galax Presbyterian Church Emergency Fund or the Galax Public Library.