Valerie Lynn (Duncan) Martin

Valerie Lynn Duncan Martin, 71, died on June 17, 2024, after a long battle with Alzheimer’s disease. 

She was born and grew up in Asheville, North Carolina, the only surviving child of Romas Hicks Duncan and Patricia Fortenbery Duncan. Hicks was a tail gunner at the end of World War II, a professional baseball player, then a computer programmer for the Air Force. Hicks also was an avid bowler, and is in the North Carolina Bowling Hall of Fame. Patsy was a dedicated social worker her entire career, and a passionate antiquer. 

Valerie graduated from high school in Asheville. She obtained a bachelor's degree and from the University of North Carolina - Asheville, a certificate in Art Therapy from the Cleveland Institute of Art, and a Master’s degree in education from Georgia State University. 

Valerie loved art, live music, and travel, and was an avid Scrabble player. She loved helping people. Valerie’s generosity was reflected in her nurturing care and love for her family, which led her to become deeply involved in the City of Decatur Schools, in Suzuki strings, and in sacrifices she made for her children's health. The same spirit of generosity seemed to compel her to help anyone who crossed her path. She also loved making people laugh.

She began her career as an art therapist and social worker, but soon found her calling as a vocational rehabilitation counselor helping people enjoy the dignity of work unlimited by their disabilities. She also worked hard for fair treatment for fellow state workers through successful litigation. Helping others was her identity and her gift to the world. 

Her skill at helping people led to her being called on to manage rehabilitation providers, removing her from the frontline care she loved but allowing her to help many more people. Before and after retiring she was consulted on rehabilitation cases, and she trained others in rehabilitation. Even when struggling with Alzheimer’s, she strove to help others.

Valerie moved to Atlanta in 1980.  Not long after meeting Chuck—her future husband—on a sailboat at St. Simons Island, she told him she wouldn’t live in Macon, Chuck’s hometown, if it was the last town on earth. So Chuck moved to Atlanta to be with her, and in 1983 they moved to Decatur, where they have lived since. There she gave birth to and raised two sons, Charles Maxwell Martin and Michael David Martin. 

Valerie is survived by her husband Charles “Chuck” Martin, and her sons Charles Maxwell “Max” Martin and Michael David “Mike” Martin. 

After a private burial service, there will be a celebration of life on Saturday, June 22, 2024, at 1:30 in the afternoon, at Clairmont Place, 2100 Clairmont Lake, Decatur, GA 30033.

The family asks that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Alzheimer’s Association or Valerie’s favorite charities, Doctors Without Borders and Heifer International. 

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