Marvin Flatt

Mr. Marvin Flatt, age 71, of Martin, TN, passed away on Tuesday, July 15, 2025, at the Henry County Medical Center in Paris, TN.

Marvin Hugh Flatt entered the world on October 13, 1953 in Lawrenceburg, TN as the son of Albert Marvin Flatt and Maggie Lenola Cleveland Flatt, and he began a lifelong legacy of service to those around him. He is survived by a sister, Patricia Hudgins, of Lawrenceburg, TN and a niece, Megan Hudgins Riddle, of Lawrenceburg, TN. 

A resident of the former Rural Route 2 in Lawrence County, Marvin went on to graduate from Lawrence County, TN High School and was an early leader in agriculture education, serving as a Tennessee State FFA Officer in the office of Sentinel from 1973-1974 and representing his home of Lawrence County, TN. Marvin then attended the University of Tennessee at Martin and graduated in 1976 with his Bachelor of Science degree in Agriculture, and was a member of the Alpha Gamma Rho Fraternity. 

After graduating UT-Martin, Marvin began his career as an Agriculture Teacher and FFA Advisor in Martin, TN and later went on to have a lifelong career as an educator, shaping the lives of countless young people that came through his classroom and through the doors of the AGR House in Martin, TN. Marvin was a licensed Professional Educator with the State of Tennessee and held an active educator’s license until his passing. Among his endorsements, he was certified to teach Agricultural Education and had Administrator Credentials for his work as Vocational Education Director, Attendance Supervisor, and was recognized as a Career Level III Educator on his professional license.

In 1987, Marvin became Assistant Commissioner of Education for Vocational Education under Governor Ned Ray McWherter and Commissioner Charles Smith and served the State of Tennessee faithfully and capably in this role until 1995. Upon his return from Nashville, Marvin served the people of Weakley County as Vocational Education Director and as Attendance Supervisor for Weakley County, TN Schools until his retirement in 2019.

Beyond his daily work, Marvin was a leader in the field of Vocational, Career, and Technical Education. He served in many different roles over the years, including serving as President of the Tennessee Association of Directors of Career and Technical Education, President of the West Tennessee Directors’ Group and State Vice President of Career and Technical Education Teachers, and is a Past State Chairman of the Tennessee Attendance Supervisors.

Even in his later years, Marvin never stopped learning or pursing education and community improvement. He was a graduate of the WestStar Leadership Program at UT-Martin in their Class of 2001 and served for many years on the Board of Directors for the Weakley County, TN Chamber of Commerce’s Adult and Youth Leadership Programs, the Board of Directors for the Carl Perkins Center for Child Abuse, and Chairman of the Weakley County Education Foundation. Most recently, Marvin served the people of Martin, TN as an Alderman from Ward 2 from his first election in 2016 until his passing, and was a member of many city committees, including the Municipal-Regional Planning Commission and Historic Zoning Committee. 

Among Marvin’s most proud accomplishment was serving as Chapter Advisor for Alpha Gamma Rho, Alpha Upsilon Chapter, at the University of Tennessee at Martin for many years. With his mentoring and guidance, Marvin helped shaped young men into leaders in the field of Agriculture and servants in the field of humanity. Whether it was him helping arrange a chapter event, serving on an AGR Alumni Board, or just simply sitting in the dining hall and sharing a meal with fellow AGR brothers, Marvin was always able to make anyone feel like they were a lifelong friend and that they were a part of his life. 

When Marvin Flatt left this mortal world on July 15, 2025, he was not an ordinary man: He was a dedicated educator, a loyal public servant, a community advocate, a devoted mentor to countless brothers of AGR, and most important, a friend to all who knew him and experienced the legacy he leaves behind today. (

Composed by Beau E. Pemberton on July 21, 2025)

Visitation will be held on Tuesday, July 22, 2025, from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. at the Martin Church of Christ. On Wednesday, July 23, 2025, visitation hours will be from 12:00 to 2:00 p.m., leading up to the service that begins at 2:00 p.m. at the Martin Church of Christ. Graveside services will be held on Thursday, July 24, 2025, at Lawrence County Memorial Gardens at 1:00 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to the UT Foundation using the link: https://giving.utm.edu/mflattscholarship You may also send memorials to: UT Foundation 424 Andy Holt Humanities Bldg, 209 Hurt Street, Martin, TN 38238. Please indicate the memorial is for the Marvin Flatt Alpha Upsilon Alpha Gamma Rho scholarship. For more information, please call 731-881-7628.

Murphy Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.731-587-3121