Dr. Martha Coachman McBride's Obituary
Martha Coachman McBride (1939-2020)
Dr. Martha Coachman McBride, 80, passed away Sunday, February 16, 2020. She was born September 24, 1939 in Clearwater, Florida to James and Winifred Coachman and the granddaughter of S.S. Coachman and Jessie Candler Coachman.
Martha C. McBride, PhD
Dr. McBride was born in Clearwater and a graduate Clearwater High School, attended Florida State University, received an undergraduate degree in history from the University of Florida. In her undergraduate years, she was an orientation leader, chairman of Welcome Week, Women’s Student Association, Phi Mu Sorority, and a member of the University of Florida choir including recording an album. She earned a master’s degree from the University of Florida in counseling and earned her PhD from the University of Georgia in Educational Counselling and Psychology. Dr. McBride was a tenured graduate studies professor at the University of Nevada Las Vegas for 25 years, retiring in 1999. After retirement, she lived part-time in Las Vegas and Clearwater, before returning to the Clearwater area permanently in 2006.
Dr. McBride was actively involved, professional and personally, in women rights through leading counseling groups and private practice for abused woman. She had a passion for history, genealogy, travel, music, and performing arts. She was an active member of the Chancellor Choir at Peace Memorial Presbyterian Church, local Bach choir, and various international travelling choirs touring France, Hawaii, Austria and many more. She was an avid reader, movie goer, enjoyed many activities over the years including hiking, skiing, shopping, dining out with friends, and international cruises. She was always up for an adventure or “spur of the moment” trip.
Dr. McBride was an active member in the Peace Memorial Presbyterian Church, former president of the Pinellas County Panhellenic, Phi Mu Sorority, Garden Club, Questers and Clearwater Historical Society.
Family
Dr. McBride’s grandfather, S.S. Coachman, led the fight to create Pinellas from Hillsborough County and was appointed first Pinellas County Commission chairman by Governor Gilchrist of newly created Pinellas County and named to Great Floridian 2000. Her grandmother, Jessie Candler Coachman, owned and managed the famous Coachman's Kumquat Sweet Shop located at Coachman Station, instrumental in the building of the “big pink church” and donated the baptismal font at Peace Memorial Presbyterian Church, author of cookbooks and descended from the Candler family. Mrs. Coachman’s uncle, Asa Griggs Candler, was the founder of Coca Cola.
Dr. McBride’s father, James W. Coachman, Sr. (deceased 1994), was born in the McMullen-Coachman log cabin in the Coachman Grove which at that time was known as Coachman, Florida. He was the manager of S.S. Coachman and Son’s, one of the largest in the state packing houses, secretary and treasurer of Coachman Properties, President of the Gift Fruit Shippers Association and executive member of the Growers and Shipper League of Florida. Her mother, Winifred Coachman (deceased 2004), was an active member of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR), Junior League, Garden Club, and Questers. Both Mr. and Mrs. Coachman were ruling elders at Peace Memorial Presbyterian Church.
Dr. McBride is survived by her only daughter Elizabeth McBride-Gould, grandson, James Gould and granddaughter Jessica Gould, brother, James W. Coachman, Jr., step-daughter Peggy Cloninger and step-granddaughter Danielle Cloninger, and many cousins from the Coachman, Candler and Johnson families.
A Celebration of Martha’s life will be held at Peace Memorial Presbyterian Church on Saturday, February 22, 2020 at 2 pm. In lieu of flowers or gifts, the family has requested any gifts be directed to the Peach Memorial Presbyterian Music Program.
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