Mary Cooper Cox

Mary Virginia Cooper Cox was born to Edward Dodd Cooper and Lillian Ruth (Ley) in Tampa, Florida on Independence Day, 1921. As she slept quietly her soul took flight on March 21, 2016. Being a native of Tampa, she knew much history of the south side. Raised primarily in Hyde Park and New Suburb Beautiful, she attended Gorrie Elementary, Wilson Junior High and H.B. Plant High School. Back in Tampa, Mary Virginia worked secretarial jobs and helped her sister Ruth Ley Wynne with her growing family of boys. Then, on a trip to Cairo, Georgia, she met Ralph Anders Brown whom she married in 1948. Soon after, came Ralph Anders Brown, Jr. known as Andy and then, her daughter Martha. When Martha was about 3 months old, Ralph, Sr. passed away. For the next 13 years, Mary Virginia settled into Cairo society and raised her two children in a wonderful small town environment. In the late 1960’s she met John B. Cox of Tampa and returned to her hometown. Widowed since 1992, she enjoyed family, volunteering at church, playing Bunko and entertaining friends. Mary Virginia Cox is predeceased by her son Andy Brown and survived by: daughter Martha Brown Altman (Chuck), daughter-in-law Pat Brown, and grandchildren: Ashley McMichael Hawk (Chad) of San Diego, Frank Paul McMichael III (Ehren) of Orlando, and Jessica Brown (fiancée Mike Mallotides) of New Jersey. Great grandchildren, Colton and Adleigh Hawk, Brayden, Hannah and Ronin McMichael. Nephews, Boyd, Lesley, Edward and Norman Wynne and their families. In lieu of flowers please feel free to make a donation to Hyde Park United Methodist Church in her name. There will be a Celebration of Life held at Hyde Park United Methodist Church (500 W. Platt St. 33606) on Friday, March 25th at 1:30pm with a reception to follow.