Nancy Marie Willis Martin, 74, of Harriman, Tennessee, died Tuesday, August 12, 2025. Born in Columbus Georgia on September 20, 1950, Nancy is the daughter of Henry F. and Marie LaVerne Chiles Willis. Both have preceded her in death.

In grade school Nancy’s family moved with her father’s work as a wholesale drug salesman, finally settling in Knoxville Tennessee in 1962. While in Knoxville Nancy attended Bearden Junior High and graduated from Bearden High in 1968. She was a member of Bearden United Methodist Church.

Nancy received her degree in early childhood education from the University of Tennessee Knoxville. It was at UTK she met her future husband David Charles Martin, a marriage of 55 years. After graduation Nancy and David moved to Cartersville, Georgia. Nancy taught in the Cartersville City School System on and off for many years. She was also involved in adult literacy programs and private tutoring. It was in Cartersville that they raised their children Andrew and Nora.

Outside of family and work Nancy loved being a Girl Scout troop leader and hiking in the mountains of East Tennessee. Traveling, gardening, and visiting with friends and family gave her much pleasure.

She is survived by her husband, David Charles Martin; her son, Andrew William Martin, of Marietta, Georgia; and her daughter, Nora Camille Martin and partner, Christopher Tompkins of Seattle, Washington.

Nancy’s family includes her sisters Kathie Willis Martin and Susan Willis Humphries, both of whom reside in Woodstock, Georgia. Kathie’s husband, Wayne Martin, and Susan’s husband, John Humphries, are both deceased. Nancy leaves behind her much-loved nieces and nephews; Jennifer Humphries, Erika Hubbard, Breta Collins, Benjamin Martin and Matthew Martin along with their families.

Also surviving Nancy are in-laws, Mary Martin Yarbrough and husband, Curt H. Yarbrough, of Rome, Georgia, and their children: Mary Eleanor Yarbrough Blair, Curt D. Yarbrough, and Ann Yarbrough Stewart, along with their families.

Nancy’s family holds dear in their hearts the staff and community at the The Lantern Memory Care in Lenoir City, Tennessee, and the nurses and staff at Fort Loudon Medical Center and Covenant Hospice.

In lieu of flowers or donations the family request you honor Nancy’s love of nature with a quiet walk in the woods.

In celebration of Nancy’s life her remains will be returned to the earth at a private family gathering.

Fraker Funeral Home of Kingston is in charge of all the arrangements.