Martha Cox Zellner Newport

Martha Cox Zellner Newport, 93, passed away on January 19, 2019 following a brief illness. She was born May 20, 1925 to Julius and Elizabeth Cox in McNairy County TN where she graduated from McNairy High School and played varsity basketball. As part of the “Greatest Generation”, she moved to Memphis to work in the Cordova Munitions Plant, where she met Joe Zellner.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 41 years Joseph F Zellner Sr where they were members of Immanuel Lutheran Church. Her sister Lavayer Mitchell and brothers Lee Cox and Paul Cox also preceded her in death. She is survived by her sister Betty Woodford of Savannah TN.

She is also survived by her loving husband of 18 years William T Newport whom she met in Bible Class at Independent Presbyterian Church. She was especially fond of time spent with her extended family and her friends and neighbors. She is survived by her four sons Joe Zellner, Jr (Carol) of Bartlett TN, Ron Zellner (Julie) of Bulls Gap TN, Greg Zellner (Betty) of Franklin TN, Larry Zellner (Kathy) of Auburn CA, and her step-daughter Amy Shipman (Larry) of Cordova TN. She is also survived by her grandchildren Doug Zellner, Amanda Wakham, Alison McGee, Jamie Bolton, Tarrah Zellner, Charles DuPree, Cherrish Hankins,

Annalisa Thomas, Kyle Zellner, Katherine Borrego, Zach Rivas, Robin Strickland, Seth Shipman and Ethan Shipman and 27 great-grandchildren.

The family will receive friends on Thursday January 24 at 9:30 am in the Chapel at

Independent Presbyterian Church, 4738 Walnut Grove Road. A service to

celebrate her life will follow at 11:30 am. Interment will follow at Memorial Park

Cemetery. The family requests that memorials be sent to Independent

Presbyterian Church.

Arrangements by Memphis Funeral Home. 901-725-0100