Barbara Ann Cox was born in Bentonville, Arkansas on October 23, 1935 to Lee and Mildred Persons Skeen. Barbara, 85, passed away peacefully at home on February 3, 2021.
Visitation is scheduled for Sunday, February 7, from 2:00-4:00 P.M. at Whitt Funeral Home. A funeral service will be held Monday, February 8, at 3:30 P.M. in the Whitt Funeral Home Chapel with Mike King, pastor of Crosspointe Church-Stillwater, officiating. Interment will follow in the Duncan Municipal Cemetery. Arrangements have been entrusted to Whitt Funeral Home.
Barbara graduated from high school in Drumright, Oklahoma in 1953 and married her high school sweetheart, James Cox, in 1955. To this union of 65 years, three children were born - Nicholas Ray, Shelia Ann and Tonya Kay. Barbara and James lived in Chickasha while their children grew up and then moved to Duncan where they have lived for more than 30 years.
In addition to being a mother, grandmother and great grandmother, Barbara held several different jobs through the years. They included 15 years with American National Insurance Company where she started as a secretary and worked her way up to become their most successful salesperson and 7 years with a jewelry company.
Barbara was a lifelong member of the Free Will Baptist Church. After retirement she joined the Home Extension Organization, later becoming the State President in 2001. During that time the name was changed to Oklahoma Home and Community Education - OHCE - which provides opportunities to develop skill and experiences that help improve the quality of life for families and communities. Barbara was recently awarded two different grants from Oklahoma State University to help improve both local community life as well as international community life. This organization added many wonderful friends and experiences to her life.
Barbara loved nature, animals and travel. She and James lived in both Indonesia and Australia and traveled extensively following their retirement. She was a good friend and mentor to many and was always ready for any adventure. She took every opportunity to have new experiences in new places. Barbara always lived life to its fullest.
Barbara was preceded in death by her parents; her daughter, Tonya Cox; and her sister, Norma Hicks of Paso Robles, California.
She is survived by her husband of the home, James Cox; daughter, Shelia Houston and her husband Dale, grandsons Kallan Houston and Ryan Houston, great grandchildren Skylar and Hunter, all of Queensland, Australia; and grandson Joshua Day, wife Elizabeth and great grandsons Logan, Riley, Axel and Colby of Oklahoma City.
Memorial contributions can be made to Sunshine Group of OHCE, 903 N. Harville Road, Duncan, OK 73533.
Online condolences can be made to the family at www.whittfh.com.
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