Barbara W. Cox

Barbara W. Cox, age 86, of Cumming, GA, ran into the arms of Jesus and her beloved husband and precious grandson on September 30, 2018, at Northside Hospital in Atlanta, GA. She was born July 4, 1932, the daughter of James Henderson Walker and Eudera Barton Walker. She was a resident of Cumming, GA in the Hamptons and a member of First Redeemer Church. Her two children survive Barbara, Debra Cox Malone (William) of Charleston, SC and Ronald James Cox of Dawsonville, GA. She is also survived by her sister, Virginia “Dee” Hedges (Dayton), sister-in-law, Betty Walker, and her grandchildren, Bradley Malone (Julia), Ryan Malone (Jennifer), and Cody Walker Cox. Grandson, Mason James Cox preceded her in death in 2014. She was a great-grandmother to five great-grands, Caroline, Sarah, Kellen, Kayleigh and Maddux as well as an aunt to nieces and nephews, James Hedges (Allison), John Hedges (Lisa), Sandi Walker Scoggins (Michael), and William Walker.

Barbara and her husband, Air Force Captain William Henry “Wild Bill” Cox, were married on June 1, 1955 in San Angelo, TX, on the day Bill received his pilot wings. Their daughter, Debra, came along the next year. Soon they were off to California, where son, Ron, arrived. They were then stationed in Godmanchester, England. No one could have foreseen the tragedy to come – Bill was killed in a plane crash on a cross-country flight in February 1963. Barbara came back to Mississippi to start a life as a widowed, single mom with her two young children and to be near friends and family. She became an accomplished horsewoman who had an array of horses that brought her so much joy over the years in and around Columbus, MS. Art was also her passion and she was a gifted oil painting artist as well as learning the art of creating Faberge eggs. Barbara would later move to Atlanta to be closer to her sister and brother (Theron Wesley Walker, who preceded her in death) and begin a career at Rich’s Department Store, where she would retire after a full tenure in the China and Silver Departments.

She enjoyed homes around the Atlanta area in Dunwoody, Roswell and on Lake Lanier before settling in Cumming, GA. Barbara never remarried. And on the day she drew her last breath on this earth side of heaven, Bill’s picture remained close, on her nightstand, as it had since the day they were married. Theirs is a true love story that stood the test of time. And now, she is reunited with her first love.

A woman of determination and independence, Barbara chose to live alone with her fur babies, Cujo, her Yorkie and Shadow, her rescued tabby. Since January of this year, she endured several illnesses and many months and days in the hospital and Chestnut Ridge Rehabilitation Center to recover. She enjoyed being back “home” in her son’s home for a short time before becoming the new social butterfly at Sandy Springs Place.

Her children, along with family and close friends, will pilgrimage to Barbara’s childhood homestead in Columbus, MS this week and honor her wishes, plant a tree and share the vast memories of this beloved wife, mother, sister, aunt, cousin and faithful friend.

The family would like to extend its gratitude to the entire staff of Sandy Springs Place Memory Care Center for the loving care they provided for Barbara since her move there last month. Also, our deepest gratitude goes to the 1^st floor doctors, nurses and staff of Northside Hospital/Atlanta Women’s Center for helping so compassionately in our last hours together and for the gracious gift of time in the aftermath.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Cathedral Bread Basket, 3790 Ashley Phosphate Road, Charleston, SC, 29420.