Community leaders, family and friends gather to honor the late C.T. Martin

Atlanta — C.T. Martin was one of the longest serving city councilmen in Atlanta’s history. He passed away a week ago at the age of 84.

Saturday, C.T. Martin’s friends, family and a virtual who’s who of Atlanta city leaders gathered at the community center that bears his name to say goodbye.

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Martin is credited for being the man who got the community center and natatorium project over the finish line and built. It’s located in the heart of the district he served for 27-years.

“Everybody knows that he didn’t want us to name the natatorium after him, a community center after him. Every time we brought it up he said I don’t want it! He was against it but I was for it! So I think he let me win that fight (laugh),” said former Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed.

Reed spoke about Martin’s experience and wisdom and how Martin’s advice often helped get him through the multiple challenges of his job.

“He was a steady guide and constant friend that I needed on the hardest days of being the mayor of Atlanta,” Reed said.

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For current City Councilwoman Cleta Winslow, who spoke at the service for her long-time friend, it was hard not to look back with a smile and laugh.

“The first time I met council member Martin was in 1982… and it was a blind date… that’s how I met him … so somebody got us together… I think he was in between marriages ok? (laugh),” Winslow said.

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Martin’s time serving the city will be remembered for the many issues he tackled head on. They ranged from improving public safety to raising awareness about the dangers of prostate cancer. Urologist Dr. James Bennett came to thank Martin for his help in spreading the message.

“So many of the men I see around here, you need to thank CT because he helped to get this message out to our community,” Bennett said.