Hall of Fame
Martin Lewis Stringer, Sr. ("Marty") was born in Haleburg, Ala., and grew up in Freeport, N.Y. Marty is the fifth of seven children to his parents, Jesse (deceased), and Eddie Lee Stringer. Marty was a member of the 19671971 Benedict baseball team. Marty led the team in stolen bases, error free games, scored runs and held a .300 plus batting average. Not only did Marty succeed in baseball, but Marty made the most of his college days and became a member of the esteemed fraternity Omega Psi Phi, served as Junior Class President, Pan-Hellenic Council President, Student Representative for Benedict College Accreditation, and was one of the first students from Benedict to take classes with University of South Carolina students. As active as Marty was with extracurricular activities, he graduated with honors with a degree in Business Administration. After graduating from Benedict College in 1971, Marty answered the call of duty to serve his country as an Army officer. Marty spent 21 years in the military, living and traveling all over the world.  When stationed in Hawaii, his family was Army Family of the Year, and they were host family and escorts to Mrs. Coretta Scott King during her Hawaiian visit. Marty also organized the first Martin Luther King's Day Parade in Hawaii and actively worked to bring about the Martin Luther King Holiday in Hawaii. After retiring from the U.S. Army in 1992, Marty returned to South Carolina with his family. Marty spent 15 years as an educator and retired from Richland School District One. Marty, now fully retired, remains an active volunteer in the local community where he has served on the Savannah River Community Council Board, Volunteer of the Year at Lonnie B. Nelson School, E.L. Wright School, co-authored Strategy 18 for Richland County School District 2 and pinned Op Eds on Education. Marty's love of sports never ceased. In fact, Marty was the Richland County racquetball champion, Little League baseball coach, and basketball and football coach with the Richland County Parks and Recreation.  Marty's vibrant 98-year-old mother, Eddie Lee Stringer, keeps Marty "prayed up", and it is by the Grace of God that Marty is enjoying the many fruits of his labor and his progress toward being a faithful man of God. Marty has served as church Elder, couples ministry leader, adult Sunday school teacher, praise team member and choir member. Marty now spends his days playing golf, traveling the world and enjoying time with his dream wife of 43 years, E. Leilani, two daughters, Latasha Grinnell of Dallas, Texas and Martina (Langston) Moore of Garland Texas, son Martin, Jr. of Long Beach, California and three granddaughters, Elle (14), Malani (11) and Chloe (11).
