Jimmy Martin was elected as state representative in 1998, but his public service began much earlier. Martin was elected as the Chilton County Coroner in 1963, but that wasn’t the beginning, either.

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Cell phone: (205) 299-1188

Funeral home: 755-3483

Statehouse office: (334) 242-7714

E-mail: jamesmartin@bellsouth.net

“I was born and raised a public servant,” said Martin, whose father, Leroy, also held the office of coroner. “My father started me working with him at the age of 7.”

Leroy Martin was the county’s coroner from 1937 until 1958. So, minus one term when Leroy Martin couldn’t run because he forgot to pay the poll tax, a Martin was coroner for 61 years.

Jimmy Martin, who represents the 42nd District that includes Chilton and Shelby counties, is a legacy in another way. Martin Funeral Home, Inc., which Martin co-owns, is a third generation business.

Martin and his wife, Norma, have been married for 46 years. They have two children, seven grandchildren and four great grandchildren.

At the end of his term in Montgomery, Martin will have put in 48 years of public service, not including the volunteer work done for his father.

“I do plan to run one more time because seniority means a lot in Montgomery,” Martin said.