Jackson Free Press

When he was 84, Jobie Martin was still working as a substitute teacher, but long before that, Martin was well known for hosting James Brown, Joe Louis and Mahalia Jackson on his commercial TV program in the 1970s.

On March 26, Martin, 93, died during a car accident on Interstate 220 in Ridgeland near Hanging Moss Road. Martin was driving northbound in the southbound lane when he struck two other vehicles.

Martin hosted "The Jobie Martin Show," which aired on WLBT and WAPT in the 1970s. He was the first black Mississippian to host a commercial TV show. He also hosted a weekly radio show at the station WOJK in the 1960s, where he promoted Jackson State's football team. His loyalty to JSU athletics earned him an honorary position on the university's football team when he was 35, and, in 2009, the university inducted Martin into its sport's hall of fame.

"He was the best publicity that JSU got at the time," former JSU Athletic Director Bob Braddy said. "... What happened was the football coach at the time told him he could be on the team if he promoted the football games on his radio show."

Martin, whom friends called "Flash," was also an entrepreneur who started his own restaurant, Jobie's Fried Chicken, and worked as a special education teacher at Westside Junior High School.

The Hattiesburg native grew up in Gulfport. He was a World War II veteran and served as a member of the Hinds Community College Board of Trustees for 22 years.

"Jobie Martin was an original," Hinds CC President Clyde Muse said in a March 28 statement. "A smile, a bow tie and a fresh flower in his suit lapel were trademark traits. He could spin words that connected with everyone, no matter their age or background. He was a dear friend for more than 40 years, and he will be missed, both as a member of the Hinds Community College Board of Trustees and as a much loved member of our community."