Michael Doyle Martin, Age 51, passed away on Thursday, January 19th, 2023 after fighting a fierce battle against ALS for 3 years. He was born December 14th 1971, in Roanoke VA. He went to high school at Northside High School, graduating early with a GED. Michael went on to complete multiple courses at Virginia Western Community College in Horticulture and Landscaping and Business Management. Michael was an entrepreneur owning multiple businesses throughout his life in the Roanoke Valley area for 30+ years. He was loved by his customers, associates and business partners/contractors. Many of those relationships built a family of friends for life.

Michael was a man who loved to work with his hands, he was brilliant and could build or fix anything, solve complex problems and created beauty through craftmanship. His spirit was soft, gentle, meek and so patient. In Mike’s off time, he loved taking his beautiful red Camaro out for a little fun showing off. He loved the speed of drag racing and the open air of his FJR motorcycle taking many long trips over the years. He had a passion for the outdoors, for nature and was truly thankful for the beautiful blessings of life and the world the Lord provided him with each and every day. Even as ALS slowly took every movement and muscle from him, he was grateful and humble, never thinking of himself. Michael loved the simple pleasures of life, he was fully and totally devoted to his family. He was a provider, a rock, the steady and constant that led his family with faith, love and devotion. Always giving his all, he ensured his family always had what they needed.

Michael was forever smiling, taking everything in stride each day and one day at a time. Making you laugh was his priority. He believed life was too short to be unhappy and strived to make sure others felt loved, especially his family. He was known for being a friend to anyone and everyone. If you didn’t see the love and grace of Jesus Christ in him, then you didn’t know him. He was unapologetic for who he was. 1 Corinthians 15:10 “But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace to me was not without effect. No, I worked harder than all of them – yet not I, but the grace of God that was with me.” And just as he was and the grace he had been given, he gave grace.

He was preceded in death by his grandparents; Gene Doyle and Laurna Doyle Mundy, James and Edith Martin as well as Maxine and Clarence Caldwell; his father A.W. Martin, sister-in-law Rhonda Wotring who also fought ALS alongside him and his precious youngest daughter named after him, Michelle Doyle Martin.

He is survived by his wife, Shannon; daughter Ashley and husband Aaron Jones, his mother and dad, Roseanna (Rosie) and Leon Caldwell; mother and father-in-law Sandra and Gary Ratcliff; his brothers Aaron and Ben Caldwell; brother-in-law Jeff Wotring and his final true joys in the last several years of life, his grandchildren; Hunter Michael and Laurna Grace Martin. He has many family members aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins on both sides of the Caldwell and Martin families.

Special Thank you and much love to our best friends, our brother and sister in Christ; Joe and Kellie Overstreet, who were there for us, above and beyond, supporting us through all our ups and downs. They loved and helped care for Michael and our family before, during and after ALS. You will never know what your love has meant to us, to Michael... We will never be able to thank you or repay you for all that you are. We praise the Lord for your love and friendship every day.

Family, friends, and others whose lives Michael touched are invited to Lighthouse Bible Church 2500 E Washington Ave. Vinton, VA. 24179 On Saturday, January 28th at 11:00 AM. Senior Pastor Jay Richards will be officiating.

In lieu of flowers, we ask that you make donations to Lighthouse Bible Church to support “Seats for Souls”. You can mail or call to donate in remembrance of Michael at 540-890-3304. These funds will support the church’s new sanctuary that will provide a seat for anyone searching. This church family, our Pastor and his wife, Jay and Roxanne Richards have been the light through some of our darkest moments. Michael would be blessed to know that through him, a seat will always be available to the lost and seeking. Because, aren’t we all….