Martha Ann Jarrard Sinor

Ms. Martha Ann Jarrard Sinor, age 88, of Williamson, formerly of Atlanta, passed away peacefully on February 10, 2026, at her home. She was born in Dahlonega, daughter of the late James Casper Jarrard, Sr. and Hazel Elizabeth Hope Jarrard. She grew up in the Lakewood Heights area of Atlanta.

Martha graduated with a Bachelors degree from Georgia tech and went on to become a micro-biologist for the Georgia Department of Virology, then went on to work for the Center for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta where her work reflected both her intelligence and her dedication to public health.

She authored a research report that was published in the CDC Journal of Medicine and Virology, contributing valuable insight into her highly specialized field.

Among her many accomplishments, Martha invented the “Banana Auger,” a much more efficient process to study specimens that were shipped in from around the globe, and to this day doctors and laboratories continue to use her highly specialized tool for labs and field research. As a result of her brilliant discovery, her colleagues began referring to her as “Dr. Sinor” due to the fact that the CDC kept receiving calls from around the world from other people in her field to inquire about her renowned discovery, always asking to speak with Dr. Sinor!

Martha found great joy in antiquing, collected old jewelry, and making her own jewelry.

In addition to her parents James Casper Jarrard Sr. and Hazel Elizabeth Hope Jarrard she was preceded in death by her brothers Charles Albert “Chuck” Jarrard, James Casper Jarrard, Jr., and her sisters Ella Jean Jarrard Haynes, Jimmie Nell Jarrard Mills, and Barbara Jo Jarrard Clark.

She is survived by her sons Edward-Wayne (Ann) Sinor Jr., and Gregory James Sinor, and a special nephew Brian Anthony Jarrard, whom she cared for as one of her own.

A graveside service will be held on Saturday, February 21, 2026, at 1 p.m., in Moody Memorial Gardens in Zebulon.