Deacon DeWitt Nathaniel Martin Jr.

Deacon DeWitt Nathaniel Martin, Jr.

Deacon DeWitt Nathaniel Martin, Jr., beloved husband, father, uncle, godfather and friend was born on Friday, November 10, 1933 in Chicago, Illinois at Presbyterian St. Luke Hospital to proud parents DeWitt Nathaniel Martin, Sr. and Nettie Mae Burton-Martin. DeWitt was the fourth child born to this union. His mother, father, his sisters Vera Mae, Verdell and Mae Cola (Mickey) and his eldest son Michael preceded him in death. DeWitt departed this earthly life and went home to be with his Lord to receive his heavenly reward on Monday evening, May 25, 2020.

DeWitt met the love of his life, Anne Beatrice Walker, in June 1958 in Chicago, Illinois at the wedding rehearsal of his best friend, Donald W. Smith. Donald married the then Esther G. Ewing on this date. Esther and Anne became best friends while students at Lincoln University, in Jefferson City, Missouri. DeWitt and Anne were a part of the wedding party. A friend suggested that DeWitt give Anne a ride home after the rehearsal. DeWitt and Anne started dating shortly thereafter and fell in love. DeWitt and Anne married on Sunday, September 20, 1959 in Chicago, Illinois. To this union three sons were born, Michael, DeWitt, III (“Bunky”) and DeWayne (DeWitt’s “Little Birdie”). DeWitt and Anne enjoyed a beautiful and glorious relationship for nearly 62 years. Their marriage exemplified an uncommon commitment and devotion to one another that was apparent to all and an inspiration and model for everyone they encountered.

DeWitt completed his early education in the Chicago Public School System. He was an honor student at Beale Elementary School and at his beloved high school alma mater, Englewood High School where he was graduated in 1951. DeWitt matriculated at Roosevelt University in Chicago, Illinois where he earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in History in 1955. DeWitt served in the United States Army from 1956 to 1958. He completed basic training at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri earning the rank of Private and then served as the Mess Hall Assistant Manager and Paratrooper, 101st Airborne, Fort Campbell, Kentucky. After completing his service to his country in the Army, DeWitt continued his educational studies at Columbia College in Chicago, Illinois earning a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Journalism in 1965. In 1974, he was awarded a Master’s Degree in Public Administration from Governors State University in University Park, Illinois. He furthered his study of public administration as a candidate for a Doctor of Public Administration at Nova University in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. During his YMCA years, DeWitt also received his certification as a Senior Director for the YMCA of the USA.

DeWitt served humanity in many roles and professional positions during his illustrious forty-nine year career. They include: Clerk, The Chicago Public Library; Coach, The Chicago Park District; Truant Officer, Chicago Public Schools; Deputy Director, The Urban Progress Center; Executive Director, The Off the Street Club; Executive Director, Sears Roebuck YMCA; the first President of the Consortium of Black YMCAs (COBY); Executive Director, Caribbean Support Unit for the YMCA of the USA. Of all of DeWitt’s professional positions and accomplishments, the highlight of his professional career was his tenure as President & Chief Executive Officers of the historic Butler Street YMCA (Butler Street Y) in Atlanta, Georgia. DeWitt relocated his family from Chicago, Illinois to Atlanta, Georgia in 1975 to become the President & CEO of Butler Street Y. He served in this position for twenty-five years. DeWitt retired from the Butler Street Y on December 31, 1999.

In addition to the traditional recreational programs offered by the YMCA, DeWitt developed and advanced other innovative programs to serve inner city communities and at risk youth including The Hungry Club Forum, The Black Achievers in Industry, The Math Reading & Science Academy and The Youth Aviation Program.

DeWitt was known as a prolific fundraiser. He earned the trust of corporations, foundations including the Woodruff Foundation and ordinary citizens who contributed to organizations that he led. Through DeWitt’s vision, leadership

and fundraising prowess, he successfully completed capital development campaigns and many membership campaigns at YMCAs in Chicago and Atlanta raising millions of dollars to fund youth programs and activities. In Atlanta, his fundraising efforts culminated in the constructing of two new YMCA facilities and an Olympic size aquatic center.

DeWitt served as a member of the Board of Directors for the Atlanta Committee of the Olympic Games of the of the XXVI Olympiad (the 1996 Atlanta Olympics). His was also a member of the Board’s Audit Committee. He was a member of Leadership Georgia, Leadership Atlanta and a member of the Board of Directors of the Southeast Region for the YMCA of the USA.

Over the years, DeWitt received many honors and awards for his tireless work in the community in Chicago and Atlanta

After his retirement, DeWitt founded DADD, Inc., a professional consulting firm providing consultancy services to non-profit organizations and hotel developers. He named the company DADD, Inc. after the first names of he, Anne and his two living sons (DeWitt, Anne, DeWitt and DeWayne). DADD, Inc.’s consultancies included several non for profit organizations and development clients including Marriott International, Inc., The Ritz Carlton Hotel Company, Starwood Hotels and Wyndham Hotels and Resorts.

DeWitt was ordained a Deacon at the Tabernacle Baptist Church in Atlanta in 1985 by The Late Bishop Quincy Lavelle Carswell, his trusted friend and confidant. He also served as Chairman of the church’s Trustee Board. In 1994, DeWitt and Anne joined their son DeWayne as members of World Changers Church International in College Park, Georgia where his knowledge and faith in God and his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ increased through many hours of study of the Word of God.

In retirement DeWitt enjoyed traveling with his family, politics, watching and studying the many commentators on MSNBC and CNN and a good ole fashion conversation about the topics of the day. He would often say, “Wait a minute, I need to make one more point...” DeWitt also served as an Honorary Member of the Old National Cruisers Antique Auto Club where judged the antique car competitions and helped his son Bunky with mailings for the club’s events around Atlanta.

DeWitt leaves to cherish his wonderful life his wife of more than 60 years, Anne, two sons DeWitt Martin, III of Stone Mountain, Georgia and DeWayne Nathaniel Martin, Esq. of Atlanta, Georgia; nieces MaNina Hemmingway of Chicago, Illinois and Cathy Gaines of Long Beach, California; Phillip Anderson and Dana Anderson of San Jose California and Vernon Anderson of Hampton Virginia; great nieces Kimberly Hall of Minneapolis, Minnesota, Myeshia Gaines and Keya Gaines-Knox (Jesus) “JK”) of Long Beach, California; nephews first cousins Vera Mae Harris of Bowie Maryland, Former Oklahoma State Senator Maxine Horner, Charles Cissel, Bob Burton and Charles Burton of Tulsa Oklahoma, Earl Cissel of Fayetteville, North Carolina, Beverly Ann Miller, Springlake, North Carolina, Shelia Martin and Cynthia Martin-Williams of Chicago, Illinois, Mary J. Gay-Skinner of Niles, Michigan, Barbara Walker-Scott (Lionel) of Moreno Valley, California, Geraldine Walker-Wise (Terry) of Gary, Indiana and Patricia Walker-Belton of Joliet, Illinois; his godchildren, Candace Wise of Chicago, Illinois, Quinae Ford (Marques) of Stockbridge, Georgia, Pastor Quincy L. Carswell, II (April) of Buford, Georgia; grand godsons Donald Kent Smith, II, of Atlanta, Georgia and Donovan Smith of Chicago, Illinois; special daughters Tracey A. Ragland-Marshal (Derek) of Bolingbrook, Illinois, Gwendolyn Jones-Carswell, Deborah Hughes-Jones and Sebrina Middleton of Atlanta, Georgia, Dorothy Smith of Chicago, Illinois; special sons Lawrence A. Blakley of Chicago, Illinois, Roberto Huff of Decatur, Georgia, Brian Barnett (Nara) of Leesburg, Virginia, Rodney Stinson (Teresa) of Douglasville, Georgia, Ernest P. Harper (Melissa) of Atlanta, Georgia, Tracy L. Mingo (Valorie) of Ellenwood, Georgia, James H. Walker, Esq. (Angie) of Atlanta, Georgia, Gregory Scott Holiday of St. Louis, Missouri, James Gordon of San Francisco, California, Damon V. McKelvin of Atlanta, Georgia and his childhood friends of over 70 years, William C. “Billy” Rountree of Chicago, Illinois and Karl “Skip” Henry of Gardena, California.

We thank God for the Life and Legacy of our beloved husband, father, uncle, godfather, cousin and friend Deacon DeWitt Nathaniel Martin, Jr. A life well lived!!

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