Cornelia "Connie" M (Martin) Derendinger

Connie was born February 18, 1934 in Brewton, Alabama, the daughter of Cornelia Lucinda (Thornton) and William Andrew Martin. She accepted Christ at age 7 at Catawba Springs Baptist Church in Brewton. She taught Sunday School and Girls in Action. She graduated from T.R. Miller H.S. in Brewton. Married in January 1955 to Ensign George Lewis Derendinger and a Navy wife for 11 years, George and Connie were married for 61 years. She was owner and operator of Midway Child Care Center in Bryan, TX for 6 years while George earned his Master’s and Doctorate degrees at Texas A&M University. She raised two daughters and one son.

Connie is preceded in death by her parents, husband, son, John Andrew Derendinger; brothers and sisters, William Martin, Navolou Franklin, Cornelius Vanderbilt Martin, Jack Martin, Leon Martin, Nancy Singleton, Tommy Martin, and Carolyn Wright.

She is survived by daughters and son-in-law, Tina and Ralph Coe, Nancy Derendinger of Oak Point, Texas; grandchildren, Kelly and Jimmy Fincher of Oak Point, Robert Coe of North Richland Hills, Texas; great-grandchildren, Harper Fincher and Harrison Fincher; sister-in-law, Helen Martin; nieces and nephews, Bennie and Leon Kothmann, Miles Franklin, Ruby and Wade Wallinger, Tommy Martin, John Martin, Raye and Trey Furrey, William Martin, and John and Amanda Martin; numerous grandnieces and grandnephews; and a few great-grandnieces.

Memorials may be made to Catawba Springs Baptist Church, 5110 Old Hwy 31, Brewton, AL 36426; or Brazos Valley Food Bank, 1501 Independence Ave, Bryan, TX 77803.

A visitation is set from 2:00 to 3:00 PM on Saturday, January 18, 2025 at Memorial Funeral Chapel College Station, 2901 Texas Ave South, College Station, TX 77845. A funeral service is set for 3:00 PM with Pastor Clyde Strong of Bethel Baptist Church, College Station officiating. Interment will follow at Memorial Cemetery of College Station.