Zachary I. Martin | Eastern North Carolina Now

    On February 10, 2024, heaven gained another angel. Zach passed away peacefully at the Hospice House in Greenville, NC. Zach was diagnosed, on December 22,2022, with Ewing Sarcoma Bone Cancer. From the time he was diagnosed, Zach fought with dignity and strength to the very end.

    A celebration of Zach's life will be held 1:00 p.m. Friday February 16, 2024, at First Church of Christ, 520 East 10th Street, Washington officiated by Deacon Francis Skinner and Pastor Gary Bateman. A burial will follow in Oakdale Cemetery. Capt. Kenley Russell, First Sargent Beau Daniel, Master Trooper Anthony Autry, Trooper Christopher Williams, Trooper Kendall Wooten, Detective Matthew Reeves, Patrick Stevenson, and Corey Rogerson will serve as pallbearers. All members of N.C Highway Patrol Troop A District 4 will serve as honorary pallbearers.

    The family will receive friends 3:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Thursday February 15, 2024, at First Church of Christ of Washington.

    Zach was born January 21, 1989, to Pamela Leigh Ilderton and Charlton O Martin Sr., who preceded him in death. Zach grew up in High Point, NC where he started his football career at the age of 9. He played all through his school years playing for Trinity High school varsity football.

    In 2009, Zach decided that he was to be in law enforcement. He put himself through BLET school at Davidson Community College. Upon graduation, Zach joined the Belhaven PD, Belhaven NC. In 2010, Beaufort County Sheriff's Department recruited Zach to come work for them, where he was nominated and was awarded Rookie of the Year.

    In 2012, Zach met the love of his life, Ginny Elizabeth Woolard. On September 13, 2014, Zach and Ginny married. They had 2 beautiful children, Greyson Ilderton Martin and Lawson Jacob Martin. Those boys were the light and love of his life.

    In 2018, Zach fulfilled his dream of becoming a North Carolina State Trooper, where he worked until his death.

    Zach never met a stranger. If he liked you, you were friends for life. If he didn't like you, you knew it. His fellow troopers never left his side during his journey with cancer. The brotherhood that they share is beyond amazing.

    Zach is preceded in death by his brother Jacob Tyler Martin, his maternal grandmother Wanda Trogdon Ilderton and his paternal grandparents Charles and Peggy Martin.

    Zach is survived by his wife Ginny Woolard Martin, his mother Pamela Leigh Ilderton, his brother Charlton (Skip) Martin Jr., his sister Britney Leigh Martin (Lacey) all from High Point, NC, his sister-in-law Jessica Sullivan Martin and his nephews Caleb Sullivan Martin and Collin Tyler Martin from Kernersville, NC. Zach was also blessed with many aunts, uncles, cousins and the most amazing in-laws he could of ever asked for.

    The family wants to thank all of the North Carolina State Troopers for their love and support. We also want to thank the doctors and nurses at Duke University Hospital and Hospice House of Greenville, NC for taking such loving care and support of Zach during his illness.

    Online condolences may be offered to the family by visiting www.paulfuneralhome.com

    Paul Funeral Home & Crematory of Washington is honored to serve Zach's family.