Martha Watson Cobb

Narrative:

     Martha Watson Cobb was born on 3 Oct 1909 in Trenton, Todd Co., Kentucky.^1,8 Martha Watson Cobb was known to members of her family as Bummy.
     She appeared on the 1910 Federal Census of Trenton, Todd Co., Kentucky, in the household of her parents, Dr. Robert Linah Cobb Jr. and Mary Louisa Logan.¹⁴
     Her mother died on 3 Jul 1913, when Martha was 3 years old.^15,16
     Martha appeared on the 1920 Federal Census of outside of Trenton, Kentucky in the household of her father and stepmother, Ledley Lena Logan.⁵
     Martha appeared on the 1910 Federal Census of Nashville, Davidson Co., Tennessee, at 7th Ave. North, enumerated 15 Apr 1930, living in a boarding facility with young employed women, likely the YMCA where she is known to have lived about this time. She appears to be sharing Room 6 with Etna Boaz. In Room 10 is Thelma Andserson, with whom she continued a friendship for many years.¹⁷
     Martha married Richard Mathes Fenker, son of Howard Wieman Fenker and Irma Aurelia Sander, on 12 Aug 1938 in Nashville, Tennessee, in the presence of the immediate families and a few intimate friends. The ceremony was performed by the bride's uncle, Rev. William Henry McIntosh, of Hatiesburg, Mississippi.^9,10,11
     Martha and Richard appeared on the 1940 Federal Census of Nashville, Davidson Co., Tennessee, at 2405 21st Ave. South, enumerated 6 Apr 1940, reporting that they were renting their home, for $35 per month, and each had lived in the same city in 1935.¹⁸
     She was a stenographer with a wholesale company before her marriage, and continued similar work for a time afterword. In 1940 she reported she was working as a secretary for a wholesale grocery company, and had worked 44 hours the list week of March. She had worked 52 weeks the prior year, earning $1,300.^19,20
     Martha joined Richard for at least part of his tour of duty in Hollywood, Florida. In Sep 1943 they were living there at 701 No. Ocean Dr.²¹
     Martha joined Richard for at least part of his tour at Oakland Naval Air Station. He drove the family across the country from Nashville in the fall of 1944 to a house he had rented in Berkeley, California. She returned to Nashville with their young son by train for the birth of their second child.^22,23 She had returned to Nashville by Apr 1945 when their second child was born.
     Martha and Richard moved their family to 4444 Newton Dr., Jackson, Mississippi, in 1947.²⁴
     Martha and Richard moved their family to 23A-A3 Myron Manor, Columbia, South Carolina, in 1950.^25,26 While there they built a home on a wooded lot.²⁷
     Martha and Richard appeared on the 1950 Federal Census of Richland Co., South Carolina, at Myren Maror Apartments, enumerated 6 Apr 1950, reporting they lived in a home that was not on a farm. Their two children were listed as living with them.²⁸
     In 1951 Martha and Richard moved their family to Gallatin, Tennessee, so he could manage Rail Oil Company, a business established by his father.²⁹
     Her husband died on 2 Jun 1999 in Fort Worth, Tarrant Co., Texas.³⁰
     Martha died on 26 Dec 1999 in Ft. Worth, Tarrant Co., Texas, at age 90.¹² She was buried in Gallatin City Cemetery, Gallatin, Tennessee, next to her husband.¹³