Alphonso Martin

Alphonso Martin, born June 5, 1962, in Cleveland, Tennessee, to the late Raymond and Roberta Martin, passed away leaving a lasting legacy of leadership, service, and dedication to his family and community. Alphonso attended Bradley High School from 1979 to 1981, where he graduated at the top of his class and earned numerous athletic honors. He later honorably served four years in the United States Navy, continuing his lifelong commitment to discipline and service. Alphonso was employed as a technician at Bowaters for 23 years. Due to health issues, he retired in 2012 after years of dedicated service.

Alphonso was preceded in death by his grandparents, Ella Mae and West Davis, and Lassie and Lucian Martin; his parents, Raymond and Roberta Martin; his brothers Raymond C. Martin, Jr., Lucian J. Martin, and Wendell Gaines; his sisters Marcia (Marvin Sr.) Wood and Jacqueline Sharp; his uncles Wadie and Edwin Davis; his aunt Sally Meredith; his niece Yavonka Wood; and his mother-in-law, Diane Harrison.

He leaves to cherish his memory his loving wife, Robin Martin; his children Blake, Brandi, and Jaylon Martin, all of Cleveland, Tennessee; and his grandsons Gabriel and Micah Martin of Cleveland, Tennessee, and Alphonso Blake Jr. and Aiden Martin of Athens, Tennessee.

He is also survived by four sisters: Pecola (J.T.) Toney, Vanessa Martin, and Alison Martin, all of Cleveland, Tennessee, and Romona (Clyde) Dowell of Richmond, Virginia; and four brothers: Thomas (Barbara) Davis of Jacksonville, Florida, and Edwin, Dwight, and Darryl (Connie) Martin, all of Cleveland, Tennessee.

Alphonso also leaves a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, special friends—Gary Benton, Johnathan Mack, and Alan Sanders—and a very special cousin, Paul Davis. 

Alphonso Martin will be remembered as a devoted father, loving husband, respected coach, and accomplished athlete whose influence extended far beyond the field. His legacy lives on through the many lives he touched and the family he loved so deeply.

Funeral services will be held Sunday, December 28, 2025 at 3:00 p.m. at M.D. Dotson and Sons Funeral Home Chapel in Cleveland, TN., with Brother Ronald Simmons delivering the eulogy. The family will receive friends one hour before the service at the funeral home from 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. Services of loving memory entrusted to M.D. Dotson and Sons Funeral Home – Cleveland, TN