Sarah Jean Martin, 91

Sarah Jean Martin, age 91, passed away Monday, July 27, 2026, at Solaris Health Care in Plant City. Visitation will be held Friday, August 7, from 5 to 7 p.m. at Tomlinson Funeral Home with a private burial will follow at the Ebenezer Methodist Church Cemetery.

A Tampa native, Sarah grew up in Seminole Heights and graduated from Hillsborough High School in 1952. After receiving her bachelor’s degree from the University of Tampa in 1956, she was a vocational educator in Hillsborough County for 32 years, teaching home economics and life management skills at Turkey Creek, Memorial and Middleton junior high schools. In later years, nothing gave Sarah greater joy than doting on her granddaughters and making annual trips to Emanuel County, where her parents were born and raised and where she had an extended network of cousins she loved like siblings. Sarah was a loving mother and grandmother, a wonderful cook and cake baker, and a devoted caregiver. She was a member of Highland United Methodist Church. Mrs. Martin is preceded in death by her parents, Talva L. Strange and Jewell Youngblood Strange; husband, John Thomas “Tommy” Martin; and brother, Talva Jr.

Mrs. Martin is survived by her son, John Talva Martin (Mary Angelo); and granddaughters, Sarah K. Martin and Julia N. Martin.

The family would like to express their gratitude to the Solaris Health Care nurses and staff for their compassionate care of Sarah over the past four years.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made in Sarah’s memory to: Reubin Thompson Memorial Foundation, c/o Susan Middleton, 1175 N Beachview Dr., Jekyll Island, GA 31527.

Donations will go toward the preservation and upkeep of the historic Ebenezer Church, grounds and the cemetery where Sarah will be interred.