Evelyn Cobb

Mrs. Cobb, 87, of South Pasadena, died at Edward White Hospital in St. Petersburg, Saturday Dec. 9, 2006. Celebrated for her love of stylish clothing and culture, Mrs. Cobb was most well known for running the Evelyn Cobb Gallery in downtown St. Petersburg for 20 years. But she was also highly regarded for her charitable work. Mrs. Cobb was a founder of the Science Center Guild in St. Petersburg, former president of the Beach Drive and Downtown Business Association, and a member of the St. Anthony's Hospital and St. Petersburg Symphony auxiliaries. In 1965, she was named Queen of Hearts at the annual St. Petersburg ball of the same name celebrating local women volunteers. The eldest of three daughters of W. L. Cobb, founder of a local construction company, she once said she considered herself "my father's son." She worked for him for many years. She also was a model and worked for the highway department in Alabama. Born in Gadsden, Ala., she grew up in Mississippi, Alabama and Florida. She finally realized her dream of an art gallery in 1975 when she opened her first gallery at Fourth Avenue N and Beach Drive. Cobb later moved to 222 Beach Drive NE. In 1995, Mrs. Cobb retired and closed the gallery to spend more time with her growing family. Mrs. Cobb is survived by her daughter, her four grandchildren, and three great-grandsons