Tessa Ward Cox

She was born September 13, 1947 in Birmingham. She attended Homewood Junior High, Shades Valley High School, Samford University and Auburn University. She was a member of Alpha Delta Pi sorority. Tessa was an avid bridge player. She organized and played in several bridge groups. Through her love of bridge, she formed many strong and enduring friendships with people of all ages

She was very active in several baptist churches over the years in Birmingham, Atlanta and Basking Ridge, New Jersey. She was most recently a member of Meadowbrook Baptist Church in Birmingham. Tessa loved the Lord with all her heart and everyone who knew her would grow to understand that. Tessa was the core of her family, always the hostess for every birthday and holiday. She was greatly beloved by her family, her church, and her many friends. She loved people well and she will be greatly missed.

She was diagnosed with Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis in 2007. She struggled with the progress of the disease for several years and received a lung transplant at Duke University Medical Center in September 2012. She fought courageously over many months and many hospitalizations to recover from the transplant but finally succumbed.

She is survived by Jack Cox husband of 47 years, mother Doris Ward, children Chris Cox (Mary) and Catherine Cox (Kate) and grandchildren Taylor Cox, Annemarie Cox, Ashlyn Cox, Elizabeth Tremblay-Cox, Tessa Tremblay-Cox and Anna Grace Tremblay-Cox. She was preceded in death by her father Roy Ward.

Visitation will be 6:00-8:00 PM Thursday, May 15 at Meadow Brook Baptist Church. A memorial service will be held 2:00 PM Friday May 16 also at Meadow Brook Baptist Church. In lieu of flowers please make contributions to Meadow Brook Baptist Church, CaringBridge.org, or the charity of your choice.

Arrangements under the direction of Ridout's Valley Chapel, Homewood, AL.