Shelby Martin, 79, passed away unexpectedly on Friday, June 23, 2017. She was born February 6, 1938 in Deep Gap, NC, the daughter of the late John Edmund Cheek and the late Hazel Lillian Cheek.

She married her high school sweetheart and love of her life, James "Jim" Martin, on June 2, 1956 and just celebrated their 61st wedding anniversary. After getting married they moved to Washington, D.C. where she was employed by the FBI. They then moved to Charlotte, NC where she was employed by United Artists, then to Charlottesville, VA, where she worked at the University of Virginia. Mr. Martin's career at NCR Corp. then took them to Columbus, GA where she worked for David Rothschild Co. Inc. It is there where they began a family, and their daughter Vicki was born. In 1974 Mr. Martin transferred to Raleigh, NC with NCR Corp. and Mrs. Martin became a teacher at Young World Day Care. She retired April 15, 1998 upon the birth of her first grandchild. She loved all three of her grandchildren fiercely.

She is survived by her loving husband, James E. Martin, daughter, Vicki M. Carter and husband John, grandchildren John, James, and Callie, sister, Hilda Cook and husband Joe, and brother Darrell Cheek and wife Sandy, Along with 3 nieces, and 4 nephews.

Mrs. Martin was a member of Forest Hills Baptist Church in Raleigh, NC for over 40 years. Memorial contributions may be made to the church, 201 Dixie Trail, Raleigh, NC 27607.

Montlawn Funeral Home in Raleigh is serving the Martin family.