Nancy Louise Martin Garrett, daughter of the late Frank and Kathleen Hurner and a fifth generation Floridian, passed on to glory on June 1, 2025. Born in Tampa, FL on Jan. 3, 1932; her family settled in Jacksonville, FL in 1935 where she would graduate with honors from Robert E. Lee High School. She attended the University of FL briefly and in 1950, she married Zachary Martin.
The couple lived in St. Louis, MO where Zach attended & graduated from Dental School. In 1953, they moved back to Jacksonville, FL. In 1959, the couple, along with their four children moved to Orange Park, FL where Nancy lived the remainder of her life.
Nancy actively served as a member of the Jacksonville Jr. Woman’s Club and the Dental Auxiliary for many years. Nancy became very involved in the Girl Scouts of America program as a troop leader & served on the Jacksonville Board of Directors as well as serving as a Den mother for the Cub Scouts of America.
In 1959, the Martin family became members of the Orange Park United Methodist Church. Nancy lived a full life of the pure of heart dedicated to God through service to her congregational community in many aspects: Sunday school teacher, service on committees including Pastoral Parish, Women’s Circles, and the Women’s Christian Society. At the time of her passing, Nancy was the oldest living tenured member of the congregation.
In 1968, Nancy lost her husband, Zach, but continued to guide their children with wisdom, ethical behavior and the example of putting God first. In 1974 Nancy became licensed as a Registered Nurse and served God’s children at Wolfson’s Children’s Hospital at Baptist Hospital Jacksonville and later as the Head Nurse, then Nurse Manager of this unit until her retirement.
Nancy married William “Honey” Garrett in 1980. They spent their years together serving for 25 years as volunteers at Orange Park Medical Center, as members of the German American Club, as active members of their church & were active in the lives of their children, grandchildren & great grandchildren.
Nancy lived a life of the servant heart dedicated to God and her family, putting the needs of others before her own through kindness, compassion, generosity and selflessness. That we, those left behind, would live our lives as well to honor this woman who touched so many lives with her grace and courage.
Nancy is survived by her children: Carlyle Martin (Dr. Gayle), Pamela Martin Roberts, Kathleen Martin Rich and Dr. Zachary Martin, Jr. (Colleen) and two stepchildren: Kathleen Garrett Johnson and Matthew Garrett (Pam); by ten grandchildren and 1 step-grandchild & 10 great grandchildren. She is also survived by her brother, Robert Hurner (Jean) and by many nieces, nephews, cousins and their families.
The Celebration of Life for this loving woman will be held at the Orange Park Methodist Church on June 13, 2025, at 11:00 A.M.
The internment will be at Greenlawn Cemetery in Jacksonville.
In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Orange Park Methodist Church to support the building fund for the children’s Sunday School classrooms at 2051 Park Ave., Orange Park, FL 32073
