Emory Madison Martin, 75, of Cumming, died Oct. 2, 2011.

Born June 3, 1936 to the late Rena and Florene Martin, he was a native of Forsyth County and became a lifelong resident in the Coal Mountain community.

He was a member of Coal Mountain Baptist Church.

Emory was a farmer and a fixture in Coal Mountain for more than 50 years.

As a young man, he served as a reserve for the National Guard and built several dams and water control structures throughout the county with the Soil Conservation Service. By the late 1950s, he was farming full time and was recognized as the county's Conservation Farmer of the Year in 1960.

He was a pioneer in the poultry industry in the 1960s and 70s, establishing one of the very first caged laying operations in this area, which revolutionized egg production. His farm and those that followed saw production increase from dozens of eggs per day to thousands of dozens per day, providing a new way to meet an ever increasing demand. By the time he retired in 1995, he had produced more than 200 million eggs.

He will be remembered as a faithful husband, a loving father and a trusted friend with a balance of wit and wisdom.

His parents and one daughter, Kristi Martin, preceded him in death.

Survivors include his wife, Ruth Nell Martin of 56 years; his daughter, Heidi Beckman and son-in-law, Witt Beckman of Cumming; son, Andy Martin and daughter-in-law, Bonnie Martin of Cumming; five grandchildren, Winter Random, Drew Martin, Luke Martin, Jake Martin and Josh Martin; one great-grandchild, Liam Random; sister, Rounette Kirby and brother-in-law, G.W. Kirby of Cumming; various other relatives also survive.

Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Oct. 5 at the Ingram Funeral Home Chapel with the Revs. Joe Hulsey and Pete Martin officiating. Interment will follow in Sawnee View Memorial Gardens.

The family will receive friends at Ingram Funeral Home from noon until the time of service Wednesday.

Ingram Funeral Home and Crematory of Cumming is in charge of the arrangements.