.Martha (Nell) Cooley Krabbendam of Chattanooga, beloved wife, mother and child of God passed away Tuesday April 7, 2015 at age 55, surrounded by her family, after a courageous 5-year battle with cancer.
Martha was born in Chattanooga on November 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 3PM 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.
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.
