Marilyn Man Cox

Marilyn Man Cox died at her home in Ozona, Texas on Sunday, December 3, 2023. Born in Wichita Falls on October 17, 1926, she was the daughter of Sam and Mary Hicks Man. A sister, Martha Lou Man, was welcomed in 1931.

Music was the center of Marilyn’s life, beginning with piano lessons at the age of 10. She expanded her musical talent to include the study of the organ under the tutelage of Nita Akin. She graduated from Wichita Falls High School in the spring of 1943. While attending Southern Methodist University in Dallas in the fall of 1943, she met L. B. (Bud) Cox, III of Ozona. During her college career, she joined Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority and was a member of Alpha Delta Phi Freshman Honorary Society.

Marilyn and Bud were married on May 4, 1946, at the Methodist Church in Wichita Falls. Following the honeymoon, they settled down at the ranch outside of Ozona. Marilyn and Bud added to their family with the births of a daughter, Lynn, in 1947, a son, George, in 1949, and a second daughter, Lou, in 1954. Marilyn and Bud bought a house in Ozona so the children could attend school and participate in activities. Marilyn was a lifelong member of the Ozona Methodist Church, where she was the organist for over 50 years. She played for numerous weddings, funerals, and choral programs. Always looking for ways to expand her love of music, Marilyn enjoyed playing in the Bell Choir. In addition to her church activities, she was active in the community. Marilyn was a member of many local organizations, including the Ozona Woman’s Forum, Ozona Music Club, Woman’s Society of Christian Service, and Crockett County Public Library. A highlight in her life was being named Outstanding Citizen in 1990 by the Ozona Chamber of Commerce. Marilyn and Bud traveled to the western states in their RV and played golf in their retirement years. They celebrated 67 years of marriage before Bud’s death in 2013.

Marilyn is survived by her sister-in-law, Ora Louise Sheppard, children Lynn Cox Evans (Jay), George Cox (Jackie Bob), and Lou Cox Chapman (Clay); grandchildren Jed Evans (Jamie), Jamie Baldwin (Dennis), Kelsey Cox, Leesa Marshall (Jerry), and Lynne Haire (Barbra); and ten great-grandchildren, Ella Baldwin, Zadie Baldwin, Kiley Dean, Klacey Dean, Ryker Dean, Jadie Marshall, Julie Marshall, Jenna Marshall, Kristofer Haire, and Alexa Haire.

She was preceded in death by her husband, L. B. (Bud) Cox, III., her parents, Sam and Mary Man, her sister, Martha Lou Man, and a granddaughter,

Christina Louise Haire.

Services will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday, December 6, 2023, at Ozona Methodist Church, followed by interment in Cedar Hill Cemetery in Ozona. The family thanks Annette Moran for her care and devotion to our Mother since 2016.