Linda June Smyrl Martin COLUMBIA - Our mother, wife, sister, and great friend, Linda June Smyrl Martin, went to be with the Lord on Tuesday, December 13, 2016 after a brief battle with ALS. Linda was born on December 17, 1952 in Columbia. She was the dearly loved daughter of the late Hugh Jennings "Buddy" Smyrl and Betty June Summer Smyrl both of Columbia. Linda was the rock and foundation of a close family, consisting of both chosen and blood relations. She is survived by her devoted husband Joe Martin; daughter, Sarah Martin; son, Joseph Martin; and adopted daughter, Halima Mahina (Aziz); brother, Hugh Jennings "Bud" Smyrl (Richard); sister-in-law and soul sister, Judy Jolly (Ross); first cousin, Sally "Sas" Smyrl; and dear friend Esther Thigpen. She leaves behind her dearest friend, Barbara Barton, many loving and deeply loved friends from her years working at the South Carolina Department of Social Services as well as her church family from Gethsemane Lutheran Church, and a host of loving family members. She was joyful to have seven adopted grandchildren who brightened her life and gave her the wonderful experience of being a grandmother from her daughter, Halima. Linda lived every day of her life with great joy and humor. Throughout her thirty-five years at the Department of Social Services, she worked passionately for the people of South Carolina. She cared deeply about all South Carolinians and devoted her career to improving the lives of all residents of the state. During the 1990s, she worked tirelessly to help pass welfare reform in order to better the services provided to those in need and brought her family great pride when she received the Order of the Palmetto from Governor David Beasley. She took great pride in her children, in her daughter's service as an educator and her son's deep love of literature and helping his fellow man. She loved her church family and spent many hours serving at Gethsemane from the time she was a young adult and throughout her adult life. She and Joe loved to travel and experience new cultures, bringing home stories of great times to her family and friends. She took so much joy in her love for her husband and their bond of friendship and faith in one another. Family will receive friends and loved ones on Thursday, December 15, 2016 at the Dunbar Devine Street Chapel from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Services will be held Friday, December 16, 2016 at 12:00 p.m. at Gethsemane Lutheran Church in Columbia, followed by internment in Elmwood Cemetery. Family requests that memorials be made to the Smile Train Organization (smiletrain.org), or the charity of one's choice. Please sign the online guestbook at www.dunbarfunerals.com.