Shirley Anita Hopkins Cox, beloved mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, passed away peacefully in Lexington, Kentucky on Friday, September 20, 2024. She was 100 years old, having lived a long and beautiful life. Anita was born in Buffalo Ridge, Patrick County, Virginia on June 12, 1924, daughter of Joseph E. Hopkins and Lillian Maude Cochran Hopkins. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband of 59 years, William Odell Cox, Sr., sisters Lora Griffith (Clifford), Mae Pace (John), and Marie Edwards (Ralph), brothers Lloyd Soyars (Dovalee), Hoy Hopkins (Madeline), and Lloyd Hopkins (Gladys), and son-in-law, Leon Vaughn.
She is survived by her daughter, Brenda Cox Vaughn, of Lexington, Kentucky, her son, William Odell Cox, Jr. (Mary) of Richmond, Virginia, grandsons Jonathan Vaughn (Leslie) of Lexington, Kentucky, Ryan Vaughn (Charisse) of Dallas, Texas and Cameron Cox of Richmond, Virginia, great-grandchildren Henry, Jack, Stella and Wesley Vaughn, sister Dot Tatum (Thomas, dec.) and brothers George Hopkins (Barbara, dec.) and Clint Hopkins (Nancy), as well as many nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews.
Anita grew up in Buffalo Ridge and graduated from Blue Ridge Mission School and later attended the University of Virginia School of Nursing. In 1946, she and Odell married. Odell worked for the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation as a state park superintendent and Anita helped with many tasks in the parks. In addition to being a homemaker, she also worked at various times as a nurse assistant, at Stuart Drug Store, as a teller at First National Bank of Stuart and as a docent at Reynolds Homestead. She and Odell enjoyed traveling, participating in a national western square dance group, and spending time with family and friends and in the beautiful outdoors. Anita enjoyed playing games, especially Scrabble, working crossword and jigsaw puzzles and was an avid reader. She loved to walk and continued to walk over a mile a day well into her mid-90s. She was a wonderful cook and often had a treat to share with family and friends. Throughout her life, she remained open to new ideas and experiences and loved participating in activities and meeting new people. As a mom, grandmother and great-grandmother, she enjoyed attending the children’s activities and events, always there to support and encourage them or to just spend time together, letting their interests lead the way.
Anita grew up in Sycamore Baptist Church. As an adult she was a devoted and active member of Stuart Baptist and Grace Baptist churches, serving there and in the community in a variety of volunteer roles. Her faith in God was her foundation and guiding light throughout her life. Hers was a faith that radiated in genuine love for others, willingness to help or support anyone without judgment, and through a joy and goodness that was evident to everyone who knew her. Her love for her family was boundless. She remained close to her siblings throughout her life, loving any opportunity to spend time with them. For her husband, her son and daughter and their spouses and children, her love and care through the years and the example she set of living a faith-filled and joyful life was an immeasurable blessing that will continue to echo throughout the generations of family to come. She leaves a legacy of love for us all.
Visitation will take place on Saturday, October 5, 2024, at 1:00 p.m. at Moody Funeral Home in Stuart. A service will follow at 2:00, also at Moody Funeral Home, with burial at Patrick Memorial Gardens. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association or to a charity of choice. Online condolences may be sent by visiting www.moodyfuneralservices.com.
