Krabbendam, Martha Nell Cooley

Lifelong Teacher Was Born And Raised In Chattanooga

  • Wednesday, April 8, 2015
Martha Krabbendam
Martha Krabbendam

Martha (Nell) Cooley Krabbendam of Chattanooga, beloved wife, mother and child of God passed away on Tuesday April 7, 2015 at age 55, surrounded by her family, after a courageous five-year battle with cancer.

Martha was born in Chattanooga on Nov. 1, 1959, to the late Pemberton Cooley, Jr. and Margaret (Winship) Cooley. She was a 1978 graduate of GPS ("Don't Take Us for Granite") and received her degree in Education from Covenant College. A lifelong teacher (both by profession and temperament), Martha served at Chattanooga Christian School, Broadneck High School in Annapolis, MD and Bachman Academy in Cleveland, TN.

No retelling of Martha's life is complete without acknowledging her five great loves; her God, her friends and family, horses, dogs and Tate.

She is survived by her husband of 31 years, Richard, sons, Joe and Jim, brothers, Winship Cooley (Linda), Pemberton Cooley, III (Lucy) and sister, Margaret "Peg" May (Tommy).

A celebration service will be held at 3 p.m. on Saturday, April 11, at Covenant Presbyterian Church, 8451 East Brainerd Rd., Chattanooga, TN 37421, with Dr. J. Render Caines officiating. The family will receive visitors at the church from 1–3 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Chattanooga, 4411 Oakwood Drive, Chattanooga, TN 37416.         

Arrangements are by the East Brainerd Chapel of Chattanooga Funeral Home, 8214 East Brainerd Road, Chattanooga, TN 37421.

Please share your thoughts and memories at www.ChattanoogaEastBrainerdChapel.com.

 

 

Obituaries
Hosea Pierce, Jr.
Hosea Pierce, Jr.
  • 4/29/2025

Hosea Pierce, Jr., affectionately known as “Bubba,” passed away on April 24, 2025, at the age of 66, surrounded by his devoted family. Born on June 29, 1958, to Hosea Pierce, Sr., and Shirley ... more

Joan "Polly" Richardson Rogers
Joan "Polly" Richardson Rogers
  • 4/29/2025

Joan "Polly" Richardson Rogers, age 89, of Hixson, TN passed away on April 27, 2025. She is survived by her daughter, Jeannetta (Ron) Hutson; two sons, James D. Stillwell and Eric D. (Tina) ... more

Sylvia Jean Jenkins Jones Bennett
Sylvia Jean Jenkins Jones Bennett
  • 4/29/2025

Sylvia Jean Jenkins Jones Bennett, 87, passed away peacefully on April 26, 2025. Born July 11, 1937, in Chattanooga to William C. Jenkins and Jessie L. Flippo Jenkins, Sylvia spent most of ... more