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Naoma "Faye" Cox (1912 - 2010)
 Naoma
"Faye" Cox, an amazing 97 year old mother, grand, great and great-great
grandmother, passed away late in the evening of March 14, 2010,
peacefully and surrounded by loving family members. She was born
September 1, 1912 in Sayre, Oklahoma.
Life in that era for many was
difficult and Faye's was no exception. Her parents separated at an early
age, and while living with an extended family was introduced to and
accepted by faith, the concept of Jesus Christ as a personal savior. She
was baptized into the Seventh-day Adventist Church as a teenager and
embraced the teachings there after. Faye was reserved yet devoted to her
church and religious beliefs.
A homecoming queen in high school, she married her high school
sweetheart, Carl Franklin Cox, at an early age. (That's all she would
admit to). Together bearing two sons, Charles Wayne Cox, deceased 1980,
Jerry D. Cox of Lodi, and two daughters, Barbara "Barb" Cox of Lodi and
Betty Schafer of Grass Valley, CA.
As so many families did during that era, the Cox family headed west
in search of work, careers, stability and comfort for their growing
family. Finally landing in Bellflower, CA after living and working in
Arizona, then the Ridgecrest area, Faye found a career in Medical
Management, and her husband Carl retired as a career Federal
Firefighter/Captain, and died at sea while fishing, his second love, in
1970.
Prior to her retirement Faye found the love of travel, and set out
to explore the world, as time would allow, and continued on after
retirement. From Burma to Japan, Africa, Russia, France, Italy and
numerous other countries. She enjoyed travel and working outside in her
garden.
She developed an early enjoyment for driving cars, powerful
and sporty models. Her "lead foot" helped her to rapidly and skillfully
negotiate the Los Angeles freeway system during employment commutes, and
the interstate system on her Nor Cal visits to family and friends,
generally speeding in the fast lane. Her last car purchase proved to be
a difficult decision, as she liked the Hummer, but for humanities sake,
chose a smaller model.
Faye and her special needs daughter Barb, to whom she devoted a life
time of care and support, moved to Lodi in the early 1980's. Becoming a
member of the English Oaks SDA Church, and then moving into the
"village" she continued to devote her organizational skills to the
church in different capacities, including caring for and being of
service to several village members in the latter stages of their lives.
In her early 90's while on a family vacation and snorkeling cruise,
she swam/floated in the waters off the Maui coast, rode an ATV (solo,
but flanked by family members) down main street during Red Lodge
Montana's 4th of July dog, pony and Cox family reunion parade/show.
Most recently (November) she attended one of several
great-granddaughters wedding's in Idaho, even breaking out a few steps
on the dance floor.
Grandma Faye was a humble, yet direct, hard working, quick witted,
computer savvy, amazingly resilient lady, who enjoyed her independent
living, shopping, and until last Christmas, could be seen driving her
late model PT Cruiser with the sunroof open and music playing, to the
shopping malls, grocery store and her and Barb's hair and pedicure
appointments. She loved her family with an unwavering acceptance, her
Savior, life, was an inspiration to many, and will be deeply missed.
Faye is survived by her devoted son, Jerry D. Cox of Lodi; loving
daughter, Betty Schafer (Elwin) of Grass Valley; life
companion/daughter, Barb Cox of Lodi and daughter by osmosis, Barbara
Miller of Lodi; grandchildren: Charles Cox (Kim) of Santa Cruz, Ron Cox
(Peggy) of Santa Cruz, Rick Cox (Linda) Watsonville, Cheryl Bakewell
(Tracy) of New Mexico, Jerry L. Cox (Paula) of Modesto, Carl E. Cox
(Debbie) of Lodi, Colleen Cox/Trefz (Delwyne) of Homedale, ID, David
Slayter (Lesya) of Crockett, CA, Brian Slayter (Emily) of Grass Valley;
great-grandchildren from everywhere: Jay, Amy, Elisha, Amber, Carli,
Chelsea, Dylan, Taylor, Travis, Chelsea, and Cody; seven
great-great-grandchildren, with one in the hopper.
Funeral services will be held at 3:00 p.m. on Friday, March 19, 2010
in the Evergreen Chapel, Cherokee Memorial Park. There will be no
visitation at her request and Cherokee Memorial Funeral Home is
assisting the family with arrangements. Donations may be made in her
name to the Lodi Educational Endowment Foundation 1210 W. Century Blvd.
#26 Lodi, CA 95240-6639.
Please sign the guest book at
www.cherokeememorial.com.
Published in Lodi News from March 17 to March 24, 2010
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