Martha Cousins

Martha Blackwell Cousins, 86, transitioned from earth to Glory on Wednesday, January 18, 2023, after a courageous fight against cancer. She was born May 15, 1936, to the late Bessie McFarland Blackwell and Jesse Morgan Blackwell. She was reared in Dinwiddie County, VA as 1 of 9 children born to this blessed union. She and her siblings helped their father manage over 240 acres of the family’s farmland, helping it to become a successful Black-owned farming business. Martha was educated in the Dinwiddie County School system. She graduated from Dinwiddie High School with the Class of 1955 where she excelled as a forward on the girls’ varsity basketball team. All of 5’1” tall, you would often hear her teammates shout “give the ball to shorty, she’ll get it in!” Martha was a fierce competitor! Martha accepted Christ at an early age and was baptized at the Big Bethel Baptist Church under the current leadership of Pastor Alexander Williams in McKenny, VA where she remained a lifetime member. She served as a Deaconess and sang in their choir. She also attended the Olive Branch Baptist Church in Dinwiddie, VA under the current leadership of Pastor Dr. Kevin M. Northam where she also sang in the choir and was a Girl Scout Troop Leader for the Senior Girls, taking them camping, developing their self-confidence, and guiding them into womanhood. Martha lived a life of Christian service; it was her passion! Her favorite saying was “May the Work I’ve Done Speak for Me” John 10:25 (NLT). She was an active delegate to VA State Baptist Convention, co-Chair of the Women’s Ministry at First Baptist Church in Macon where she was also a deaconess and served as President of the Women’s Department of the Middle Georgia Orthodox Missionary Baptist Association. Throughout her 40 plus years in Georgia, she faithfully served at First Baptist Church of Macon and was a member of the Pulpit Committee to select the church’s current Pastor, Reverend James Goolsby. Martha also continued her Christian walk and became the “Mother of the Church” at Beaver Ruin Road Baptist Church of Norcross under the current leadership of Pastor Kenneth Ellis when she moved to Atlanta in 2016. Martha served as a missionary throughout her life and joyfully volunteered her time, talent, and energy to service within the community and abroad. Martha was especially proud of her service as Past Grand Worthy Matron of the Order of the Eastern Star (OES), Prince Hall Grand Chapter, Georgia Jurisdiction. She served OES faithfully for over 30 years. Martha’s next passion was bowling. She was a league bowler for over 50 years, earning many trophies, medals, and ribbons while traveling to tournaments throughout the United States. A member of the Pure Pleasure Bowling Club of Macon, Martha’s bowling nickname was “Queen Bee” and her signature “leg kick” when she got strikes was legendary! Martha’s height (5’1”) didn’t deter her from driving large commercial vehicles. She drove a school bus for the Dinwiddie County School System for over 10 years and then drove 18-wheeler trucks for Brown and Williamson Tobacco Company in Petersburg, VA and Macon, GA for over 30 years until retirement. Martha was preceded in death by her devoted husband Lee Roy Cousins, Sr, parents Jessie and Bessie Blackwell, brother Herman Blackwell, Sr; sisters Bertha Smith and Lula Clark and her infant son Phillip Boisseau, Jr. A loving, kind, generous, and doting mother, grandmother, and great grandmother, Martha leaves to cherish her memory three daughters, Carolyn Boisseau of Washington, DC, Phileshia B. White (George, Sr.) of Dinwiddie, VA and Martha Boisseau of Tucker GA, who was her mother’s most devoted caregiver; daughter-niece Valerie Snellings of Destin, FL, whom she adored; and a special friend she considered a daughter, Geneva Whipple of Lawrenceville, GA. Other sons and daughters of love, William “Billy” Roberts (Valerie) of Petersburg, VA, Lee Cousins, Jr. (Barbara) of Aberdeen MD; Bobby Cousins of Riverside, CA; the late Darnell Cousins; John “JC” Cousins of Maui, HI; Cynthia Cousins of Hampton, VA; and Teresa Cousins of Newport News, VA. Grandchildren, Shannan Batten (Darryl) of Chesterfield, VA; George White, Jr. of Landover, MD; Caroline Boisseau of Washington, DC; William Roberts III of Grovetown, GA; Alyssa Roberts of Petersburg, VA; Benjamin and Nicole Cousins of Aberdeen, MD. Two great-grandchildren, Tylon Robinson, and Richard Carter, Jr. of Chesterfield, VA. Beloved Siblings Jesse (Bubba) Blackwell, Jr. of Dinwiddie, VA; Sarah “Nel” Carter of Petersburg, VA; Howard Lee Blackwell, Sr. (Lucille) of Dinwiddie, VA; Thelma “BB” Blackwell of Dinwiddie, VA; and Mary “DollBaby” Blackwell of Petersburg, VA; and a host of other devoted nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. Public Viewing and Visitation for Mrs. Cousins will be on Tuesday, January 24, 2023, at the Gwinnett Chapel of Gregory B. Levett and Sons Funeral Home and Crematory, 914 Scenic Highway, Lawrenceville, GA, from 4:00--8:00 pm. Funeral services will be on Wednesday, January 25, 2023, at the Beaver Ruin Road Baptist Church, 1200 Beaver Ruin Road, Norcross GA, from 1:00--2:00 pm.

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Martha Cousins

May 15, 1936 - January 18, 2023