Laurie Hickman Cox

Laurie Hickman Cox, of Dallas, Texas, our joyful companion, wife, mother, sister, and daughter, took her last breath on Sunday, August 4. She was delighted by this world – its colors, places, sounds, textures, and creatures – and especially by people and their humor and passion. In turn, she delighted those around her – whether she knew them or not – with her inventive perspective, laughter, and uncontrollable urge to dance. She made this world more beautiful with her art and music and led a life filled with love, joy, and faith in God. A 10-year bout with breast cancer could not dim her spirit – in fact, it only seemed to grow brighter. Laurie grew up and attended high school in Little Rock, Arkansas, and has always been in love with the city and her friends and family there. Her father Bob was the leading life insurance salesman in the state for many years, with a personality that could light up any room. Her mother, Anne, has the gift of planning dinner parties and family trips that no one ever wants to miss. Together they raised Laurie and her sister Cindy to build deep family bonds, keep things fun, and make a difference in people's lives. After high school she attended SMU, pledged Kappa Alpha Theta sorority, and majored in studio art, graduating in 1978. The relationships she forged with teachers and students during that time have continued to inform her career as an artist. It was at SMU that she also met her future husband, Martin, who was lucky enough to marry her in 1982. Although she was equally gifted in dance and singing, she obtained a Masters of Art degree at University of Wisconsin in 1979 and pursued her art career throughout her life with Martin in Houston, New York City, and Dallas. She achieved a lifelong goal this past December with a successful show at Dallas' Valley House Gallery, the first commercial gallery she ever stepped foot in as an SMU freshman in 1974. By far her biggest and most satisfying accomplishment was in the family she created with her husband, Martin. Their partnership was a shining example of all that a marriage can be. Based upon a steadfast foundation of mutual trust, respect, and unabashed affection, their love provided them with two incredible daughters, Avery (27) and Helen (24), who are blessed for life by the example they set. Laurie's family was the greatest source of joy in her life. Laurie is survived by her husband Martin and daughters Avery (Portland, Maine) and Helen (San Francisco, California); mother Anne Hickman, sister Cindy and Greg Feltus, niece Annie Feltus, and nephew Robert and Barrett Feltus, of Little Rock, Ark.; in-laws Glenn and Ronnie Cox of Bartlesville, Oklahoma, sister-in-law Cece Cox, Barbara Houser, and Mateo Means of Dallas, Texas; and brother-in-law Grant Cox, Liz Sager, Ella Cox, and Sam Cox of Redding, Connecticut Charities for contributions in lieu of flowers: Arkansas Arts Center, Little Rock, Arkansas St. Philips School, Dallas, Texas, Dallas Museum of Art Docent Program. A Memorial Service celebrating Laurie's life will be held Thursday at 3:00 p.m in the Sanctuary of Highland Park Methodist Church, 3300 Mockingbird Lane, Dallas, Texas, with a reception to follow.