Carol Marie Martin was born on April 8, 1955 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and passed away on August 24, 2026. She was educated at The Philadelphia High School for Girls, Howard University, and Beaver College. A childhood spent reading to her peers on a North Philadelphia stoop would blossom into a career in education and advocacy in the very same school district that once inspired her own love of learning.

After retirement, she became an avid reader of mystery novels, film enthusiast, birdwatcher, and proud grandmother who delighted in her grandchildren’s visits and stories. Carol was cherished and loved by her family and friends and will be deeply missed.

She was preceded in death by her parents Otis Daye and Mildred Brown, sister Deborah Yvonne Belcher, and husband Dr. Clarence H. Martin. She is survived by her daughters Dr. Camil Culbreath, Candace Martin-Williams and Christina Martin as well as her grandchildren Alonzo Lawrence, Jasmine Culbreath, Briana Culbreath, Cameron Culbreath and Giselle Williams.

In lieu of flowers, the family encourages donations to the causes that Carol championed - advocacy, education, and animal welfare: Free Library of Philadelphia Foundation, Philadelphia Mural Arts Advocates, PAWS Philadelphia Animal Welfare Society, and the American Civil Liberties Union Foundation

Funeral mass is scheduled for Thursday, September 3, 10:30AM at St. Raymond of Penafort Catholic Church, 1350 Vernon Road, Philadelphia, with visitation from 9:30AM until the time of mass.