Celebrating the life of
Honor Cumming Cobbs
Passed away on January 13, 2015
Honor Cumming Cobbs
Honor Cumming Cobbs passed away on Tuesday, January 13 after a hard fought battle against a brain tumor. Honor was born in Dundee, Scotland in 1928 to Mary and Peter Cumming. She was one of five siblings. Her adventuresome spirit led her to leave Scotland for a teaching position in Montreal. After a hitchhiking trek across Canada she took a position at the Browne and Nichols School in Cambridge, MA where she met a handsome young Harvard cardiologist named Woody Cobbs. Woody was smitten at first sight by the wee Scottish lass and considered himself fortunate indeed to woo her. They were married in staid old Cambridge, but honeymooned in the mysterious and exotic wilds of Haiti. When Woody accepted a faculty appointment at Emory University they moved to Atlanta where they raised their children, Lucy, Melissa, and Woody. Their home, known as the castle in the woods, was nestled in the boughs of Fernbank forest and a wonder to all who had the privilege to visit, filled with light, laughter, and music. They were passionate collectors of antiques and art and both were master gardeners.
Honor was a vibrant member of the Druid Hills and Emory communities, serving as an active member of the Druid Hills Civic Association and Arts Council. She was president of the Emory University Woman’s Club and a long-time volunteer at Egleston Hospital. She was a strong supporter of historic preservation and worked hard to prevent the destruction of the family home of Asa Candler, now known as the Callanwolde Fine Arts Center. She played a vital role in the fight against the destruction of the Atlanta parks designed by Fredrick Law Olmstead, marching with the protesters in the Stop the Road Campaign. Rumor has it that she even chained herself to a tree to stop the bulldozers.
Honor was also a talented potter and made many works of art with her own wheel and kiln. Honor and Woody traveled the world extensively with their family, creating a lifetime of wonderful memories for their children and grandchildren. Honor was an indefatigable hiker and surprised everyone with her love of zip lines, jet skis, hot air balloons, and parasailing. Music was always a part of her life and she passed on an appreciation for classical music and opera to her children. Honor and Woody were lifelong supporters of the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra and Friends of Music at Emory. Honor even started a foundation in Woody’s name to fund the acquisition of instruments for music students at Emory.
She is survived by her brother Robert, of Howick, New Zealand, her daughters Lucy Bailey of Largo, Florida and Dr. Melissa Cobbs of Savannah, Georgia, her son B. Woodfin Cobbs III of Indianapolis, Indiana and grandchildren Honor Bailey, Alyxandra Bailey, Landon Walls, Tristan Walls, Jackson Walls, Sydney Cobbs, Suzanne Cobbs, and Nicholas Cobbs. Her family would like to give their heartfelt thanks to the staff at the Anderson Cancer Institute and the Rehabilitation Institute at Memorial Health University, as well as Dr. Aaron Pederson, Dr. Dow Hoffman, Dr. George Negrea, Dr. Daniel Suh, Dr. Robert Kelly, Dr. Steve Carpenter, and Dr. Kathy Chu for their wonderful care during her illness.
A Memorial Service will be held at First Presbyterian Church in Savannah at 4 pm on Saturday January 17.
In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be sent to the Dr. and Mrs. B. Woodfin Cobbs, Jr. Musical Instrument Foundation at Emory University.
Fox & Weeks Funeral Directors, Hodgson Chapel
I give my sympathy to the family and friends. May you find comfort in God's word during this time..
- 1 Corinthians 15:26, Savannah , ga
I give my sympathy to the family and friends. May you find comfort in God's word during this time..
- 1 Corinthians 15:26, Savannah , ga
My deepest condolence to the Cobbs family for the loss of your dear loved one. During this most difficult time, may your hearts be comforted by Jehovah God's promise at Rev. 21:4. Also during the days to come may Ms. Cobbs sweet memories fill your hearts with joy and peace.
- A. Thomas, Snellville, Ga.
Dr. Melissa Cobbs, I am so sorry for your loss.
- Rebecca Lentz, savannah, ga
I am deeply sorry that a long and valued relationship has come to an end. Our families helped each other in many ways over the years that we were neighbors. I miss Woody and I will miss Honor.
- Henry C. Ricks, Jr., MD, Atlanta, GA
My sincere condolences to the family during this time of grief and may the God of comfort grant you his peace while you await that grand resurrection day as promised at John 5:28,29
- Henry, lawrenceville, GA
Dear All, I'm glad I had a chance to see your mother at Christmas and that all of you had a chance to be together. Our hearts go out to you all.
- Cappy Ricks & Susanna Lang, Chicago, IL
Dr. Cobbs, I am a patient of yours. At my last appointment, you shared with me about your mother. You told me about her condition. I wanted you to know you are in my thoughts and prayers at this time. May God bless you! Love and prayers, Janet E. Strickland
- Janet E. Strickland, Claxton, GA
It was my pleasure and privilege to have the opportunity to minister to Mrs. Cobbs and her lovely daughters, Melissa and Lucy, classmates of mine (though much later) at DHHS. I thoroughly enjoyed getting to know your mom, and grieve with you her passing. Also, with you, I celebrate her long and eventful life, and her contributions to her community. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
- Chaplain Howard Pendley, Savannah, GA
I give my sympathy to the family and friends. May you find comfort in God's word during this time..
- 1 Corinthians 15:26, Savannah , ga
I give my sympathy to the family and friends. May you find comfort in God's word during this time..
- 1 Corinthians 15:26, Savannah , ga
My deepest condolence to the Cobbs family for the loss of your dear loved one. During this most difficult time, may your hearts be comforted by Jehovah God's promise at Rev. 21:4. Also during the days to come may Ms. Cobbs sweet memories fill your hearts with joy and peace.
- A. Thomas, Snellville, Ga.
Dr. Melissa Cobbs, I am so sorry for your loss.
- Rebecca Lentz, savannah, ga
I am deeply sorry that a long and valued relationship has come to an end. Our families helped each other in many ways over the years that we were neighbors. I miss Woody and I will miss Honor.
- Henry C. Ricks, Jr., MD, Atlanta, GA
My sincere condolences to the family during this time of grief and may the God of comfort grant you his peace while you await that grand resurrection day as promised at John 5:28,29
- Henry, lawrenceville, GA
Dear All, I'm glad I had a chance to see your mother at Christmas and that all of you had a chance to be together. Our hearts go out to you all.
- Cappy Ricks & Susanna Lang, Chicago, IL
Dr. Cobbs, I am a patient of yours. At my last appointment, you shared with me about your mother. You told me about her condition. I wanted you to know you are in my thoughts and prayers at this time. May God bless you! Love and prayers, Janet E. Strickland
- Janet E. Strickland, Claxton, GA
It was my pleasure and privilege to have the opportunity to minister to Mrs. Cobbs and her lovely daughters, Melissa and Lucy, classmates of mine (though much later) at DHHS. I thoroughly enjoyed getting to know your mom, and grieve with you her passing. Also, with you, I celebrate her long and eventful life, and her contributions to her community. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
- Chaplain Howard Pendley, Savannah, GA
Services under the direction of:
Fox & Weeks Funeral Directors, Hodgson Chapel
912-352-7200
