Her life told the story of the ups and downs of a college football head coaches’ family – and so much more.
Martha Austin Bradshaw Gibbs died May 10 at St. Martin's in the Pines in Birmingham.
Her family was well-known to a generation in Montgomery, where she was raised. She worked alongside her family at Austin’s, their family-owned clothing business.
In the earliest of the many lives of Martha Austin, she was married to Charlie Bradshaw, a well-known college football coach. Through Charlie’s long career, he worked coaching tenures under Coach Paul “Bear” Bryant at Alabama, as head coach at the University of Kentucky and later at what was then known as Troy State University. On the staff at Alabama, Bradshaw won a national championship ring with Bryant's first championship at Alabama.
Martha became affectionately known as the “First Lady” of college football. She lived through the ups and downs of coaching life.
A tribute to her was posted online:
She was known by many names: Miss Martha, Miss Alabama, Mrs. Gibbs, Mrs. B, but most importantly…Mom and MeMaw. To know her was to be welcomed, to be loved, and to feel important. She had a remarkable way of making everyone feel like they belonged. Martha was an ambassador of everything she touched, and she lived life with vibrance, dignity, and an unshakable love for her people. Martha leaves a legacy of faith, family, friendship, and football- a life fully lived and deeply loved.
A graveside celebration of Martha’s life was held Thursday, May 15 at Greenwood Cemetery in Montgomery. Dr. Karl Stegall officiated. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to ‘Magic Moments,’ an organization close to the family’s heart. Magic Moments: 2112 11th Avenue South, Suite 219, Birmingham, AL 35205.
How many people could tell Bear Bryant stories, Kentucky Wildcat stories and Troy Trojan stories?
Jim ‘Zig’ Zeigler’s beat is the colorful and positive about Alabama -- her people, places, events, groups and prominent deaths. He is a former Alabama Public Service Commissioner and State Auditor. You can reach him for comments at [email protected].
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