Mary F. Cox

She was born April 7, 1925, in Killeen to Willie Lee "Bill" Cockrell and Sallie Iola (Adams) Cockrell, whose family has resided in the Killeen area for more than a century.

Mrs. Cox graduated from Killeen High School in 1942, and worked at a cafe and movie theater in downtown Killeen before accepting a position with the post office at Camp Hood. She married Killeenite Ardeen Cox on Feb. 1, 1947; they were married for 61 years before his death in 2008.

After living and working in Lacy-Lakeview for 19 years, Mr. and Mrs. Cox returned to Killeen and retired in 1971.

Mrs. Cox was a loving and devoted wife, mother and grandmother who always put her family first. She was an avid reader, loved crossword puzzles and had a passion for baseball.

She was preceded in death by her parents, two brothers and most recently, her husband.

Survivors include her son, Brian Cox and his wife, Patty, of Killeen; grandchildren, Shelly Brockelman of Grapevine, Jennifer Bolden, Mike Ray and Mandi Baker, all of Killeen; nine great-grandchildren; her brothers, Jack Cockrell of Vidor and Winford Cockrell of Harker Heights.

The family will receive visitors from 6 to 8 p.m. today at Crawford-Bowers Funeral Home in Killeen, which is in charge of arrangements.