Martha P Cobb

Martha Pearl Cobb, age 91 of Maryville, passed away Wednesday, December 22, 2021.

Born in 1930 in Cookeville TN, she graduated from Maryville College in 1954 with a Bachelor of Science degree in elementary education. She completed a master’s degree in curriculum and instruction at the University of Tennessee.
In July of 1955, she married Charles A. Cobb. She and Charles planted roots in Maryville and raised their son Joe David. Martha and Charles remained loving partners until his death in 2004.

She began a 40-year teaching career at Alcoa Schools in 1954 and taught economics, government, legal issues, world history and psychology. Martha always had high expectations for her students. She also was known for her sense of humor in relating stories of the fictional beleaguered student “Lulu Tillyockus.”

Martha served as the president of the Alcoa Education Association, as a liaison teacher with the Tennessee State Board of Education, chair of the AHS Social Studies Department, Student Council sponsor, president of Delta Kappa Gamma, and on the Maryville College Alumni Board.

She was named a Teacher of the Year finalist by the Tennessee Department of Education and received the first Tennessee Bar Association award to a high school teacher for promoting better understanding of the legal system.

Martha was a highly regarded professional throughout the region and shared her expertise with other education professionals. She retired in 1994, and continued to serve the Blount County community as an active member of the Chilhowee Club for over 26 years and, Blount County Retired Teachers’ Association.

In 2019, Martha received a special Legacy of Service Award from the Alcoa City Schools Foundation.
Becoming a member of New Providence Presbyterian Church in Maryville in 1954, Martha served the congregation as an Elder, Deacon, Welcome Table volunteer, and PWC moderator, and as the go-to person when any task needed to be undertaken and done well.

She was also a well-known and loved fixture at the Blount Memorial Cancer Center. As a “pink lady” volunteer with the Blount Memorial Hospital Auxiliary, she provided over 26 years of service amassing over 4,500 hours of volunteering service. Martha always provided a welcoming and reassuring presence for patients and family members receiving treatment at the hospital.

She also provided her famous Chex mix, fudge and other goodies to the Cancer Center staff and fellow volunteers.

She is survived by her son Joe David Cobb, wife Traci and two granddaughters Lauren and Cecilia.

A memorial service will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, December 28th at New Providence Presbyterian Church with Dr. Emily Anderson officiating. The family will receive friends in Westminster Hall following the service.

The family respectfully requests that in lieu of flowers, memorials be made to the Blount Memorial Hospital Foundation, 907 E Lamar Alexander Pkwy, Maryville, TN 37801 to support Cancer patients in our community or to the Blount County Retired Teachers Associations’ Scholarship Fund, 853 Summer Hill Drive, Friendsville, TN 37737.