Martha Matlock Coskey

A third generation Houstonian, Momo was born on the 11th of August 1929, to Martha Jane and Eugene Percy Matlock. She was raised in River Oaks with her brother, Corbett. Momo often rode her horse out to the Post Oak area in her signature blue jeans, and waved to the cowboys. She also enjoyed going downtown to see movies such as Two Girls and a Sailor, or shop. Momo attended The Kinkaid School and made many lifetime friendships with other members of the “Richmond Guard.”

Momo attended the University of Texas at Austin and graduated from the University of Houston, where she was a member of Alpha Delta Pi sorority. Performing in the Frontier Fiesta, the annual University of Houston talent show, was a consistent pleasure of hers, which inspired a lifelong love of film and the theater.

Following college, she raised her family, daughters Martha (Marty) and Donna, in the Tanglewood area of Houston. She loved being involved in all of Marty and Donna’s activities and never missed an opportunity to cheer on her girls. The family also had great times at their home on Lake Travis, surrounded by friends.

When the girls were in college, Momo and her friend (and travel partner), Dorothy Nix, became involved in many charities along their travels. One was a museum of costumes, props and mementos of Hollywood. Through that work, Momo got to know Debbie Reynolds and Betty White and had the pleasure of attending the Academy Awards!

Momo’s greatest joy was being a mother and a grandmother to Allen and Caitlin. Momo’s home was always full of fun and her heart was always full of love. Never turning down a chance to give or show her love, the grandkids always jumped at the chance to visit Momo, and it was always a delightful adventure.

The other constant in Momo’s home was animals, she loved animals of all kinds. Over the years, she shared her home with a succession of dachshunds and chihuahuas, such as Hilda and Pepe Le Moco. Later in her life, these companions were Siamese cats named Lucy and Ethel, who later surprised everyone by actually being Fred and Ricky. Momo had animal friends all across the world. She sponsored Tigers she had never met, left treats every night for the Beagles who lived down the hall, and all animals gravitated to her calm and loving voice and demeanor. The treats she carried in her pocket on a daily basis also helped. She created personalized songs for those animals closest to her, which she would sing to them and follow up with a kiss on the forehead. All animals would leave Momo’s house with a permanent lipstick mark on their fur and treats in their belly. For her 92nd birthday, Momo had the wonderful experience of an up close encounter with the elephants at the Houston Zoo. She even helped give the elephant a bath!

Preceding Momo in death are her parents, Martha Jane and Eugene Percy Matlock, her brother Corbett, the father of her children Charles Coskey, and her dearest friends Sally Morton and Jane Frost.

Momo is survived by her daughters, Donna Cecil (Geoff) and Marty James (Mike) and her grandchildren, Allen James and Caitlin Cecil-Sykes (Tim).

Momo’s family would especially like to thank her devoted caregivers, Moriama Martinez and Leslin Garcia, who dedicated their time and love to making sure Momo continued to have a remarkable life through her last years.

A celebration in honor of the life of Martha Matlock Coskey is to be conducted at two o’clock in the afternoon on Friday, the 1st of October, in the Jasek Chapel of Geo. H. Lewis & Sons, 1010 Bering Drive in Houston.

Immediately following, all are invited to greet the family during a reception to be held in the adjacent grand foyer.

In lieu of customary remembrances, the family requests with gratitude that memorial contributions in Momo’s name be directed to Houston Pets Alive, PO Box 36128, Houston, TX 77236 or online at houstonpetsalive.org or the animal charity of one’s choice.