Martha Elizabeth Shelby

HAIRSTON.org ID#1208, b. 6 July 1921, d. 12 July 1988
Father*Louis Coffman SHELBY b. 25 Apr 1888, d. 23 May 1969
Mother*Stacie Beatrice SMITH b. 10 Sep 1897, d. 15 Feb 1977
Birth*Martha Elizabeth Shelby was born on 6 July 1921 in Memphis, Shelby, Tennessee.1 
She was the daughter of Louis Coffman SHELBY and Stacie Beatrice SMITH. 
Census 1930Martha Elizabeth Shelby appeared on the 1930 census of Louis Coffman SHELBY on 2 April 1930 in 5590 Summer Avenue, Memphis, Shelby, Tennessee; Louis C. Shelby, wife Stacie B., daughters Stacie L., Martha E. and Joy E.2
Marriage*Martha Elizabeth Shelby married Col. Austin Joseph C. McDermott Jr., son of Austin Joseph C. McDermott and Frances Lou "Fannie" HUCKABEE, on 2 January 1939 in Crittenden, Arkansas.3 
Census 1940Martha Elizabeth Shelby appeared on the 1940 census of Col. Austin Joseph C. McDermott Jr. in 1940 in 96 North Evergreen, Memphis, Shelby, Tennessee; his occupation was a chemist.4

 
Census 1950Martha Elizabeth Shelby appeared on the 1950 census of Col. Austin Joseph C. McDermott Jr. on 17 April 1950 in U. S. Army, Fort Meade, Anne Arundel, Maryland; Maj. Austin McDermott Jr., Martha E. wife and Justin J. III. son.5 
Death*Martha Elizabeth Shelby died on 12 July 1988 in Melbourne, Florida, at age 67. 
Burial*She was buried in Memphis National Cemetery, Shelby, Tennessee;


Photo: Find A Grave by Family Hunter.1 
Obituary*MRS. MARTHA SHELBY McDERMOTT, 66, of Palm Bay, Fla., formerly of Memphis and Atlanta, died July 12 at Holmes Regional Medical Center in Melbourne, Fla. Brownlie & Maxwell Funeral Home in Melbourne has charge. Mrs. McDermott was a direct descendant of Isaac Shelby, for whom Shelby County was named and was a member of Lindenwood Christian Church. She was a former Red Cross Gray Lady. She leaves her husband, Col. Austin J. C. McDermott (USA, ret.); a daughter Mrs. Debbie M. Seymour of Homer, Alaska; two sisters, Mrs. Joy Shelby Hairston of Miami and Mrs. Stacie Portmann of Bainbridge Island, Washington, and three grandchildren. The family requests any memorials be sent to the American Cancer Society.
-. 

Family

Col. Austin Joseph C. McDermott Jr. b. 7 Dec 1919, d. 7 Feb 1996
Child

Sources (www.HAIRSTON.org)

  1. [S48] Photo of Grave Marker - only photos of grave markers that are contemporary to the deceased individuals death are acceptable for genealogical proof. Find-a-Grave, personal photos and other sources.
  2. [S1930] 1930 Federal Census - National Archives and Records Administration - Ancestry.com and FamilySearch.org.
  3. [S125] Arkansas, County Marriages Index, 1837-1957.
  4. [S1940] 1940 Federal Census - National Archives and Records Administration - Ancestry.com and FamilySearch.org.
  5. [S1950] 1950 Federal Census - National Archives and Records Administration - Ancestry.com and FamilySearch.org.
Last Edited20 Jun 2026