Regina "Reggie" Jane Babin Campbell Cox

Regina Jane Babin Campbell Cox passed away on Monday, the 10th of July 2023, in Houston surrounded by her loving family. Reggie was born in Beaumont, Texas, on the 6th of July 1946, to her parents, Whitney Charles “W.C.” Babin, Jr., and Martha Jane Long Babin. She was 77 years of age.

Regina’s friends and family knew her as Reggie: a loving and supportive mother, a strong and loyal friend, and a true Southern lady.

In 1964 she was a princess in the Neches River Festival and graduated from Beaumont High School. Reggie remained active in planning Class of 1964 reunions and providing class updates.

Reggie attended Lamar University in Beaumont and The University of Texas at Austin, graduating in 1968 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education. During college, she forged lifelong friendships in Alpha Delta Pi sorority, which inspired her continuous support of the Houston Alpha Delta Pi Alumnae Association.

From 1968 to 1972, Reggie spread her wings and traveled the world in a light blue uniform as a stewardess, purser, and flight service director in the Golden Age of airline travel for Pan American World Airways (Pan Am). As all stewardesses with Pan Am were required to be fluent in a minimum of two languages, Reggie mastered Spanish, a language that would serve her well throughout her life. She traveled across Europe, Asia, and the South Pacific and was based in New York City, Washington, D.C., and San Francisco. Reggie cherished trips with her parents to Hong Kong, where they acquired beautiful art and jewelry.

Reggie married Alfred Quincy Campbell III in 1972 and welcomed a son, Whitney Alfred (“Whit”) Campbell, in 1973. The nun attending to them at St. Elizabeth’s Hospital in Beaumont had aided Reggie’s father during an earlier illness and would become a beloved honorary family member, Sister Susanne Ruane.

Between 1972 and 1980, Reggie worked as a teacher, administrator, and training coordinator living in Yuba City, California, Universal City, Texas, and Beaumont, Texas.

Reggie married William “Bill” Cox, Jr. in 1980 and welcomed another son, Gregory Cameron “Greg” Cox, in 1981. Upon her marriage to Bill, she also embraced and loved his three wonderful children: Carlene Anne Cox, Candice Anne Cox, and David Lee Cox.

Reggie returned to teaching in 1986 and earned her Master of Education in Administration from Lamar University in 1991, as well as membership in Alpha Delta Kappa international honorary sorority for women educators. She taught Spanish at Vidor Junior High School for 25 years until her retirement in 2011. Reggie was a student council sponsor and hosted Spanish class dinners for her students at Casa Olé, a family favorite.

Throughout her life, Reggie served her community through volunteering, including service with the Beaumont Junior Forum; as a Docent at the McFaddin-Ward House (where she earned a diamond pin) and the French Trading Post in Beaumont, Texas; as a Docent at the Robert E. Lee Boyhood Home in Alexandria, Virginia; as an Advisory Board Member of Some Other Place and the Mental Health Association of Jefferson County; as a member of the Women’s Club of Beaumont and the Beaumont Women’s Symphony League; as Beaumont Chairman of the March of Dimes Campaign; as Treasurer of the Heritage Museum League; as a Cub Scouts Den Leader for the Boy Scouts of America; and as a member of the Order of the Eastern Star.

Reggie was a member of St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church in Beaumont and the Daughters of the King women’s organization. A seasoned crocheter and needlepointer, Reggie stitched pillows for her family and kneelers for Christ Church Cathedral in Houston, Texas.

Reggie had a love for bridge and was a proud member of the American Contract Bridge League, earning Masterpoints at tournaments across the country. Far-flung venues in Nevada and Vermont presented “girls’ trip” opportunities with dear friend Gay McAlister. At home, the Beaumont Bridge Studio was a happy haven with Marian Jones, Kimberly Goodson, and other friends both new and old.

Gulf Coast history and gardening were passionate hobbies for Reggie. She was a member of the Texas Gulf Coast Historical Society and had an unparalleled memory for Beaumont history. She was honored to be recognized as a Jefferson County Master Gardener and delighted to serve in the Mary Howell Garden Club.

In 2018, Reggie moved to Houston to be nearer to family and quickly assumed a committee role in Landscape Planning for the Fall Creek Homeowners Association. Reggie was especially proud of Fall Creek’s multiple Butterfly Garden initiatives.

A voracious reader, Reggie favored Southeast Texas and Gulf Coast history, the military and detective fiction novels of W.E.B. Griffin, and the crime fiction and non-fiction adventure tales of Randy Wayne White.

Until her retirement, Reggie rarely watched television. In retirement, however, she became a big fan of Turner Classic Movies, Perry Mason, her sons’ college football teams (Army and Texas A&M), and the Houston Astros.

Despite all her accomplishments and activities, nothing brought Reggie more joy than her two sons. Reggie was a wonderful and proud mother and loved supporting her children in all aspects of their lives. She also enjoyed doting on her grandchildren.

Reggie had a gracious manner and vivid personality. She made the people around her feel important and valued. Reggie enriched the lives of all who met her. She was wise and thoughtful. She was precise and intentional. She led by example. Nothing was too much trouble in support of those she cared about.

Reggie is survived by her two sons, Whit and his wife, Martha, of Elizabethtown, Kentucky, and Greg and his wife, Stefanie, of Houston and four grandchildren, William, Bryant, Nicholas, and Ethan.

Reggie’s family would like to extend a very special word of gratitude to Jennie Simon, Reverend Robert Collier, and Pam Garrett for many years of treasured friendship and care.

An interment is to be conducted at noon on Saturday, the 29th of July, 2023 at Magnolia Cemetery, 2291 Pine Street in Beaumont, Texas.

In lieu of customary remembrances, please consider donations made in honor of Reggie directed to the Alpha Delta Pi Foundation or to the charity of one’s choice.

Please visit Reggie’s online memorial tribute at GeoHLewis.com where fond memories and words of comfort and condolence may be shared electronically with her family.