Opal Cox

Opal Taylor Lauderdale Cox, 94, of Cleveland, passed away on Sunday, January 3, 2016, at Signature Health Care surrounded by family.

Born on October 22, 1921, in Polk County, she spent most of her life in Cleveland, except for a few years in Florida. She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, and great, great grandmother. Her loving and giving spirit was admired by those who knew her. She was an active member of Westwood Baptist Church and Shiloh Baptist before her illness.

Her first job was with Central Drug Store and then American Uniform Company before she and her husband, John Cox, became owners of Cox Radio and TV. She especially loved her years as a Volunteer Gray Lady at Bradley Memorial Hospital and as a substitute teacher for the Cleveland City Schools. Some of her retirement years were spent as Floor Manager at Superior Sporting Goods.      

She and her husband enjoyed camping and traveling to Canada, Texas, Oregon, and Washington to visit family. Her favorite pastimes were reading, gardening, quilting, and cooking for family.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Ernest and Minnie Kirksey Taylor; sisters: Irene Taylor, Veta Denton, and Lucille Burnette; brothers, R.H., Robert, and J.N. And Paul Taylor; granddaughter, Tasha Adele Coates; and first husband, William Lauderdale.

She is survived by her husband of 57 years, John W. Cox; two sons: Jerry Lauderdale and Sammy (Brenda) Lauderdale of Cleveland; three daughters: Sylvia (Edward) Coates of Cleveland, Linda (Jerry) McNabb of Jasper, and Kim (Rick) Lowe of Nashville; Grandchildren: Will Lauderdale, John (Becky) Pippenger, Eddie (Angela) Coates, Tanner (Lindsay) Coates, Angela (Paul) Burt, Celia (Chris) Lee, Micah Geren, Valerie Walker, Tab (Sarah) McNabb, Madison (Kelly) McNabb;  Great Grandchildren: Sarah Lauderdale, Cash and Cael Coates, Bronwen and Noah Lee, Adam Crownover, Will and Bailey Walker, William Kurtz, Hatch McNabb; Great Great Grandchild: Grayson Lauderdale. She is also survived by “adopted” daughter, Ann Hysinger Gray, many special nieces and nephews and her special family at Signature Health Care.

Graveside services will be held at Sunset Memorial Gardens at 2: 00 p.m. on Wednesday, January 6, 2016, with Chaplain Coby Goins officiating. Pallbearers will be Grandsons and Great Grandsons.

The family will receive friends at 1:00 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home prior to the service.

In lieu of flowers the family would appreciate donations to Signature Health Care at 2750 Executive Park N.W., Cleveland, TN 37312.

Ralph Buckner Funeral Home and Crematory is in charge of arrangements.