Mary Lou Thomas Cox

Mary Lou Thomas Cox, 80, of Pine Bluff, died Tuesday, June 12, 2012 at her home following a lengthy illness. She was born August 2, 1931 in McCaskill, Arkansas to Charles C. and Marie Gentry Thomas. She was raised in Prescott, Arkansas and was a 1949 graduate of Prescott High School. She graduated from the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville in 1953, where she was a member of the Arkansas Alpha chapter of Pi Beta Phi. During her college years, she served as a Sophomore Counselor, a member of Mortar Board and was Rush Chairman for Pi Beta Phi. She married E. Harley Cox, Jr. on December 27, 1952. In 1956, she and her family moved to Pine Bluff, Arkansas where she lived for 56 years. An active member of First United Methodist Church for more than 50 years, Mrs. Cox was a member of United Methodist Women and served for several years as a Circle leader. Her community service included serving as a Gray Lady for the Jefferson Hospital Auxiliary, working with the Notables of the Pine Bluff Symphony Orchestra and with the Southeast Arkansas Arts and Science Center Art Krewe. Mrs. Cox was a sustaining member of the Junior League of Pine Bluff. In addition, she was a long time member of both the Junior Sesame Club and the Mathontes Club in Pine Bluff. She was a founding member of "the Bridge Club," a group of women whose life-long friendship began with cards and has continued for over 50 years. She was an early member of "the Supper Club" a group who have met regularly for more than 50 years. Mrs. Cox was preceded in death by her parents; a brother, Dr. James Gentry Thomas and his wife and their three children. Survivors include her husband of more than 59 years; three daughters, Karen Cox Raley (Phillip) of Pine Bluff, Susan Cox Dolan of New Canaan, Connecticut, and Leslie Cox May (Phillip) of Little Rock; seven grandchildren, Andrea Raley Stewart of Birmingham, Alabama, Travis and Morgan May and Grace Quinn of Little Rock, and Colin and Jack Dolan of New Canaan, Connecticut; and great-grandchild, Mary Raley Stewart of Birmingham, Alabama. The family wishes to express its deepest gratitude to Hospice Angels, Evelyn Parker and Brenda Gaddy for their loving care of Mrs. Cox during her final illness. A memorial service is scheduled for 2 p.m., Thursday, June 14 in the Chapel of the First United Methodist Church in Pine Bluff. The family welcomes friends to their home at #10 Jefferson Place for a celebration of her life on Wednesday, June 13th at 6 p.m. Online register: www.ralphrobinsonandson.com.