Mrs. Mary Lee Cox

Mary Lee Cox was born to the late John Wesley Butler Sr. and Mamie Butler of Dublin, Mississippi on May 25, 1931. Later during her childhood she moved to Chicago in the year of 1938. It was here where she was discovered by the smooth talking, tall dark and handsome, Mr. James Cox Sr.. The two of them became caught up in a whirlwind of love and it didn’t take long for them to decide that they wanted to devote the rest of their lives to each other in holy matrimony. Mrs. Cox resided in Chicago along with her husband and her family for a span of time and they decided to move to Evanston in 1957 where she would live out the remainder of her life.

It was from their union that 10 children were brought into this world in the following order. Loretha (Joseph), James Jr. (Glenda), Mamie, John (deceased), Henrietta (Henry), Joseph, Sheila, Timothy, Harry and Larry (deceased).

Mary Lee Cox was a woman who wore many hats and she was very well versed in the art of multitasking. In her early years she flexed her entrepreneur muscles as she made incents and candles and sold them out of the Indian Herb store which she and her husband owned in Chicago. Mrs. Cox was a long-time member of Bethany Baptist Church where she served on the Missionary board during her time there. She was a consummate housewife, homemaker, caregiver, baker, gardener, sewer, and she served as the overall CEO of the Cox estate. Oh Yes, there were no major decisions that were made without the final approval of “Mommie”. WE affectionately called her Mommie as her motherhood characteristics transcended beyond her children.

1908 Foster was the place to be in Evanston. Mommie loved to laugh, sing, dance, and play cards with her family and friends until the wee hours of the morning. She had an unwavering love for her immediate and extended family, and this love had a ripple effect on all of those who lived in the neighborhood as they too affectionately referred to her as their “Mommie”. Mommie welcomed everyone into her home and made sure that they were properly feed, clothed, and had a place to lay their head. You knew you were in there good with Mommie when you asked her for money and she immediately went into her bosom to get it. Mommie also loved her cats and dogs over the years and her current dog, “JR” was her closest companion to the end.

Mommie lived life to its fullest despites the shares of ups and downs she experienced. During her final days she displayed great resolve as she was beautifully cared for by her children. Mrs. Cox was preceded in death by her parents, John Wesley and Mamie Butler; husband, James Edward Cox Sr., Siblings, John Wesley Butler Jr., George Wesley Butler and Fannie Mae Hill; Children, John Cox, Larry Cox.

Mary Cox leaves to cherish her memories: 8 children, 21 grandchildren, 38 great-granchildren, 16 great-great-grandchildren, a host of nieces, nephews and cousins, her best friend Dorothy McClure, and her long-time caregiver Mabela Masupha.

Arrangements entrusted to Thompson Funeral & Cremation Services, Inc. Mr. Philip L. Gillette~ Funeral Director

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