Alice Marion Starbird Martin, 76, of Blythewood, died Sunday, August 6, 2017. Born in Pittsfield, Massachusetts, on August 9, 1940, she was a daughter of the late Paul Linwood Starbird and Marion Alice Derusha Starbird. Alice had a profoundly caring personality and was willing to help anyone in need. She was a former member of Breath of Life Lutheran Church where she was an active volunteer and loved serving the community. She most recently attended St. Mark's Lutheran Church of Blythewood.

Survivors include her sons, Lt. Col. Leo A. Martin, Jr. (Margie, deceased) and John "JJ" Martin (Sarah); daughters, Melodie Gardner (Michael), Jackie Horalek (Liz) and Michelle Horalek. Also surviving are 12 grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren and three sisters, Paula, Shirley, and Yvonne. In addition to her parents, Alice is preceded in death by her husband, Leo Alfred Martin, Sr as well as four siblings.

The funeral service for Mrs. Martin will be held 1 o'clock, Thursday, August 10, 2017 at Shives Funeral Home, Trenholm Road Chapel, 7600 Trenholm Road Ext., Columbia, with the Rev. Mikki Corley Gay officiating. Burial will follow the service in Ft. Jackson National Cemetery. The family will receive friends prior to the service beginning at 12 o'clock.

Memorials may be made to St. Mark's Lutheran Church, Backpack Program, PO Box 846, Blythewood, SC 29016.