Carl Elbert Cobb, 83, of Leighton, Alabama, passed from this life to eternal rest on Wednesday, Dec. 17, 2014, at ECM Hospital.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, Dec. 27, 2014, at 11 am at First Missionary Baptist Church, 1103 Sterling Blvd. Sheffield, Alabama. The burial of the urn (inurnment) will take place at the Cobb Family Cemetery, Burgess Lane, Leighton, Alabama, on April 13, 2015, the anniversary of his birth.
Carl was born on April 13, 1931, to Houston and Nazareth (Carter) Cobb. The fifth of seven children, he was trained in the way he should go with love and discipline. At an early age Carl joined the Bethel (Colbert) M.B. Church and was a member of the junior Happy Hitters quartet group.
He attended Leighton Training School where he received house wiring and woodworking skills. After graduation and a three year tour in the U.S. Army, Carl earned an associate degree from Henry Ford Community College in Dearborn, Michigan. For 32 years, Carl worked at General Motors as an industrial electrician and electrical engineer. He was the first african american to fill these positions at this facility. He was also a partner in the KWIK electric business.
In 1955, he migrated to Inkster, Michigan where he met and married Anita Smith, formerly of Florence, Alabama. Their marriage was enriched by the birth and rearing of three children Leslie, Janelle, and Kendall. There, Carl was an active member of St. Clements Episcopal Church where he served faithfully as an usher and provided electrical maintenance.
Upon retirement, Carl moved to Clarksville, Tennessee to enjoy tending horses and raising gardens and orchards. Here, Carl expanded his interest in antique automobiles and collecting music. He continued to usher and maintain electrical service at Grace Chapel Episcopal Church, Clarksville.
Carl was preceded in death by his parents and his brother, Ernest.
He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Anita; children, Aretha (Charles) Boden, of Columbus, Georgia, Leslie (Bessie) Cobb, of Cypress, Texas, Janelle (Ronald) Smalls, of Collierville, Tennessee, and Kendall (Sharon) Cobb, of Hockley, Texas; grandchildren, Morgan and Meredith Smalls, Wesley and Brian Cobb, Caleb Cobb, and Gerry Squirewell; brothers, Huston and Leo (Nazerine) Cobb, of Leighton, Alabama, and Willie (Wilbie) Cobb, of Romulus, Michigan; sisters, Tracien Oates, of Nashville, Tennessee, and Cleazell Long, of Denver, Colorado; in-laws, Helen Cobb, of Cleveland, Ohio, and W.L. Smith (Fannie), of Florence, Alabama; and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the National Kidney Foundation in his name.
