Viola Frances Cox left her earthly tent and moved into her heavenly mansion on Wednesday, December 28, 2016, at St. Catherine Center where she had been a resident for almost five years. A visitation will be from 5 – 7:00 p.m., Friday, December 30, at Pecan Grove Funeral Home, 3124 Robinson Drive, Waco. Graveside services will be 10:00 a.m., Saturday, December 31, at Waco Memorial Park, officiated by Dr. Cary Killough, pastor of Meadowbrook Baptist Church.
Viola was born November 24, 1918, In Mullin, TX, to Charlie and Lorena Tally. She attended school at Morris Ranch near Fredericksburg before they moved to Brady, TX, where she married Oral Fenis Cox on May 1, 1937. After his return from overseas in WWII, they lived in several Texas towns – Big Spring, Monahans, Valley Mills – and finally, Waco.
Viola was a wonderful cook and you got the desert of your choice on your birthday. Her specialty was coconut cake, Pop’s “weekly” favorite, and there was always one on hand when you went to visit. She loved crafts – crocheting, plastic canvas, and sewing- and samples of her handiwork graced not only the homes of her family, but many of her friends, as well. She worked in the weekly childcare nurseries at Grace Temple Baptist Church and Calvary Assembly of God. NOBODY loved babies better than “Grandma” Cox.
Viola was preceded in death by her husband of 62 years, on June 2, 1999. Also preceding her in death were her parents; two brothers and one sister.
Viola is survived by her three children; son, Homer Dale Cox and wife Margie; daughter, Jana Nadine Thompson and husband Richard; and son, Charles Randall (Randy) Cox, and wife Nancy; her grandchildren Jordan Cox and wife Kristy, Craig Cox and wife D’Aun, Jennifer Bakouris and husband George, Ashley Canuteson and husband Wade, and Justin Cox; great-grandchildren Jordan Lee, Ryley, Easton, Payton, Taylor, Cordale, Zane and Zoey; great-great-granddaughter, Anthea; step-grandchildren Jeffrey, Kelly, Jenny, Ryan, and Erin; step-great-grandchildren, Grace Ann, Caleb and Calvin; a special “namesake” niece, Linda Viola Johnson and husband Johnny, and her family; brother, Weldon Talley and wife Opal, of Brady, TX; sister-in-laws, Dorothy and Jean Tally; and many other nieces, nephews, family and friends.