Martha Louise Kimbrough Musgrove, of Huntsville, passed away quietly on the evening July 9th, 2017 at the age of 90 years. Martha was born in St Stephens, AL on October 16, 1926 to Dr. William Edward Kimbrough a well-known physician and his wife and nurse, Louise Rawls Kimbrough. Her brothers were Dr. WE Kimbrough III and Dr. John Gordy Kimbrough. Her sister, Susie Kimbrough Kennedy, currently resides in Decatur, GA. In 1948, Martha married Warren Musgrove, who passed in May 2005.
Martha attended Chatom High School in Chatom AL, graduating at age 16 and continuing her Bachelor studies at Huntingdon College in Montgomery, AL. She later completed her Master’s in Education Degree. She began work in Huntsville as a social worker for Madison County then transitioned into a 30-year career as an elementary school teacher, all while raising five children. She was a passionate and ardent supporter of children’s education, which is remembered to this day by the respect and reverence of her former students and associates. Martha retired from the Huntsville City Schools in 1990, having taught at both West Huntsville Elementary and Jones Valley Elementary. Martha was a long time member and volunteer of First United Methodist Church as well as a member of Church Women United, The International Pilot Club and Delta Kappa Gamma Teachers’ Sorority.
Martha loved her family; Ann Musgrove Stringer (Jim) of Conyers, GA, Sioux Musgrove Hepburn (Jim) of Pace, FL, Tom Musgrove, deceased, (Melissa), of Huntsville, AL, Phil Musgrove of Montgomery, AL and Scott Musgrove (Dan) of Los Angeles, CA. Martha delighted in her grandchildren, Joel Stringer (Katherine) of Burke, VA, Kimberly Ross (Aaron) of Atlanta, GA, Will Hepburn of Pace, FL, Cade Musgrove of Charlotte, NC, and Rawls Musgrove of West Point, NY.
Martha discovered her love of travel during retirement. She and her sister, Susie Kennedy, ventured far and wide in foreign and domestic trips. In her retirement she also enjoyed volunteer work, flower gardening, reading and crossword puzzles. She was an original member and spoon player in the Musgrove Session Band. Martha will be remembered for her quiet strength and kindness, as well as an unwavering commitment to fairness and family support. Her children today are still challenged by recreating her amazing and delicious holiday yeast rolls, even with the careful handwritten recipe cards she provided.
Visitation will be from 3 to 4 p.m. Saturday, July 15 at Laughlin Service Funeral Home, followed by the memorial service. Interment will be at a later date in the family plot in Leroy, AL.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The United Methodist Children’s Home, Montgomery, AL or the Huntsville Alzheimer’s Association. Martha’s family extends great thanks to the staff of First United Methodist Church, the staff of Harbor Chase Assisted Living and Crestwood Hospital for their care, support and comfort of a beloved mother during her final years
