Obituary: Page Varner Martin
Page Varner Martin, 81, passed away peacefully April 27, 2021, after a short battle with cancer.
Page Varner Martin, 81, passed away peacefully April 27, 2021, after a short battle with cancer. Page was a proud native Atlantan and the eldest daughter of Dr. John and “Teddy” Varner. She was a true Southern lady with a drawl that would make you think of sweet tea and Southern charm. Forever known as “the most beautiful person” many had ever laid eyes on, Page loved to tell stories of growing up on Peachtree Battle Avenue, spending time at “The Farm” on Davis Drive with all of her Davis family cousins and being a part of the Atlantans that supported the civil rights era.
Page was a graduate of Northside High School and Georgia State University. She had a love and a gift for gardening in which she earned the title of “the Orchid Whisperer” by her many family and friends. Page also was a history buff and ancestry fanatic who loved to trace both her Episcopalian and Jewish family lineage throughout history.
She was as proud to be the debutant granddaughter of Dr. E.C. Davis, who started Crawford Long Hospital, as she was to be the first person in her family to convert to Judaism when she married Sam in 1959.
In 1983 Page moved to Jacksonville, Fla., and spent the next 38 years enjoying the beach, a second marriage, her beloved pups Critter, Lily and Missy, and most of all her Sea Walk neighbors and dear friends in Ponte Vedra Beach.
In December, Page was diagnosed with liver cancer. She moved back to Atlanta to spend time with her family and friends as she bravely fought the disease. Although much too short, her family is so grateful to have had the last few months caring for, laughing with and making new memories with Page.
She is predeceased by her first and second husbands Sam Frankel of Atlanta and Henry Martin of Liverpool, England. She is survived by her children David (Saundie) Frankel, Elaine Diamond, and Evelyn “Bo” (Brian) Lefkoff; grandchildren Sara Diamond, Emily Diamond, Carter Lefkoff and Zoe Frankel; brothers John (Maribet) Varner and Fulton (Serene) Varner; sister Helene Strahan; and beloved sister-in-law Jackie Frankel Kanfer. In addition, Page leaves behind many cousins, nieces and nephews that she adored.
Graveside services for Page were held May 2 at Arlington Cemetery in Atlanta with Rabbi Ron Segal officiating. Memorial donations may be made to The Nature Conservancy or the Atlanta Humane Society. Arrangements by Dressler’s Jewish Funeral Care, 770-451-4999. To sign the online guestbook, visit www.dresslerjewishfunerals.com.
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