Obituary of Martha Ann Cox

Talladega – Martha Ann Cox Longtime Samford University administrator Martha Ann Cox died Thursday, April 10, 2014, of acute myeloid leukemia. As she had all her life, she was trying to help others by volunteering to participate in a study searching for better treatments of this disease. Funeral Services for Martha Ann “Mac” Cox, 74, will be 11:00 am, Monday, April 14, 2014 at First Baptist Church of Talladega with Dr. Dennis Jones officiating. Visitation will be from 9:00 to 11:00 am at the church prior to services. Burial will follow at Oak Hill Cemetery. Usrey Funeral Home of Talladega will direct. Ms. Cox is preceded in death by her parents, Hezz Malone Cox and Suaylor Wyatt Cox, niece, Deborah Sue Riddle, and brother-in-law, William Donald Riddle. She is survived by her sister, Sue Cox Riddle, niece, Donna Sue Riddle Brockman (Steve), nephews, Steven Michael Riddle (Yvette), and Kenneth Wayne Riddle (Lisa), great nephew, Zachary David Hogston, great nieces, Emily Suzann Hogston, Hannah Marie Hogston, Jessica Yvette Riddle, Anna Grace Riddle, Holli Lanier Riddle, Kacie Alexandra Brockman, and Hannah Elizabeth Brockman. She is also survived by the extended loving families of Terry and Melissa Barksdale, Pat and Jim Bendall, Marguerite Kelly, Kathy Grissom, Dr. Mark Cohen and Lynne, and Frances, Hugh Parker and Linda LeDuke. Cox, a 1960 Samford graduate, held many roles during her thirty-eight year tenure at the university. From 1966 until 2004, she served Samford as director of women’s programs, associate to the dean of students, vice president and dean of students, dean of the academic services and associate dean for Extra Learning Experiences. Her last post was director of Quality Quest with primary responsibilities coordinating people and projects, including various aspects of Propst Hall science building construction. She was cited for all her roles and her dedication as a decades-long advocate for Samford when she was named a 2006 Alumna of the Year. In the early 1960’s, she earned a master’s in counseling at the University of Alabama, taught fifth grade in Talladega County and was guidance director for nursing students at Baptist Medical Centers. Throughout her Samford career, she was active on leadership boards of Cerebral Palsy, Easter Seals, and Camp ASCCA for people with disabilities. In retirement in Talladega, she continued her longtime work with the Miss Alabama Scholarship Committee, which she served as chair, and was active in the Kiwanis Club. She was also a Sunday school teacher and member of various committees at First Baptist Church, and a volunteer at an equestrian center where she assisted youngsters with disabilities. Active pallbearers will be Mark Fuller, Shannon and Eric Chandler, Alicia and Mark Holbrook, Christy and Matt Le Duke, Amy and Mike McCormack, Jodi and Britt Parker, Peggy and Greg Powell, Emily and Mike Singleton. Honorary pallbearers will be, Elaine and Martin Gill, Valerie and Jeff Collier, Alison and Brandom Gengelbach, Deidre and Andrew Gunn, Jana and Danny McEachern, Kelly and Ben Carr, Vicki and Ward Gailey, Ann and Phil Williams, Lee and Charlie Carmon, Jeanne and Andy Westmoreland, Connie and Monty Hogewood, Karen Sue Kelly and Lynn Faught, and Ashley Halfman. Memorials may be made to the Cox Scholarship Fund, Office of Advancement, Samford University, 800 Lakeshore Drive, Birmingham, AL 35229 Usrey Funeral Home of Talladega is conducting the services. Online condolences may be made at www.usreyfuneralhome.com