Mary Lee Johnson Cox

Mary Lee Johnson Cox, 87, of Bella Vista, Ark., was granted her wish by her Lord, Jesus Christ, to "go home," having passed from this world on Monday, Sept. 23, 2013, at her residence. Mary was born on Feb. 3, 1926, in Galveston, Texas, to Dr. Dallas Curtis Johnson and Irene Palm Johnson. Mary grew up in Texas City, Texas, and spent her first college year at UCLA Berkeley in Calif., and later attended the University of Arkansas, where this beautiful young woman met her war hero and football/track letterman love, Jim Cox. They married in 1947 and graduated together with degrees in education in 1949. Mary was a dedicated career teacher in elementary English, teaching the second and sixth grades, first in Sweetwater, Texas, then back to her hometown in Texas City where she taught the second grade at Roosevelt Wilson Elementary for the next 18 years. Mary raised her children in Texas until the family moved to their adopted home in Carroll County, Ark., where she taught school in Kingston. In 1969, the family moved to Springdale, Ark., where Mary, once again, taught elementary students until retirement in 1976. She was known at Elmdale Elementary for her kind heart and penchant for maintaining order in the hallways and lunch lines. Mary and Jim moved to Bella Vista in 1994 to spend the rest of their years. Mary was an adept small business investor and operator, having co-owned Nautilus of Tulsa Fitness Center in Tulsa, Okla., from 1977 to 1982. She owned and operated a hospital business office consulting firm, Recovery Resources, with Jim and her son, Stacy, from 1986 until Jim's passing in 2001. They assisted patients with Medicaid applications at Washington Regional, Springdale, Sparks and St. Edward's hospitals in Northwest Arkansas. She also was co-owner of Sift Clean Inc., with her son, Stacy, from 1992 until present. Mary was a proud born Texan and could trace her heritage back through the Texas Revolution, qualifying her as a Daughter of the Republic of Texas. She also loved Arkansas, the University and Razorbacks, the "Farm" in Carroll County and her many pet cats. She loved to play the piano and sew. Mary, a Christian, was a member of the First United Methodist Church. She affiliated with the Southern Baptist Church in her later adult years. She was preceded in death by her parents, Dallas and Irene; and stepfather, A.B Waggoner; husband, Jim; and older sister, Marjie Standley. She is survived by son, Stacy and wife, Judy, of Bella Vista, Ark., and their sons, Steven and Nathan; son, Stephen and wife, Suzanne, of Fayetteville, Ark., and son, Warren; and daughter, Caffy Whitney and husband, Don, of Shepherdsville, Ky.; and daughter, Laurelen; sister, Betty Harrison of Fayetteville, Ark.; and brother, Burett Waggoner and wife, Margie, of Lake Jackson, Texas; and nieces and nephews, Johnny, Sandy, Amanda, Rebecca, Ben, and their children. Mary fought a brave battle with dementia for almost four years and was grateful that there were children that would share that challenge with her. She lived with her daughter, Caffy, for 18 months in Kentucky, and then returned for her final two years to be home in Arkansas. We would like to thank the many caregivers that then assisted Stacy, cared for her, at Apple Blossom and Ashley Rehab, her PCP, Dr. James Baker, as well as those in her home, Noreen, Heather, Angie, Monica, Fern, and her last special pet, carekitty Speckles. Extra thanks go to Circle of Life Hospice and field team Kathy, Meghan, Debbie and Chaplain Chuck. Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 29, 2013, at Stockdale-Moody Funeral Chapel in Rogers. She will be laid to rest at 10 a.m. Monday, Sept. 30, 2013, at the National Cemetery in Fayetteville, where she will be united with husband, Jim, only in body, in final anticipation of the Resurrection. Mary loved perennial plants and flowers, and all would be appreciated and planted in her memory at her home. Arrangements are by Stockdale-Moody Funeral Services, 2898 W. Walnut St., Rogers, AR, 72756. Online condolences may be made to: [email protected].