Dr. Betty S. Cox Ph.D.

COX, Dr. Betty S., Ph.D, passed from this world on Sunday, August 24, 2008, after years of fighting congestive heart disease. Betty was a devout Christian and now joins her Lord and Savior, as well as her loved ones who have preceded her, particularly her beloved husband, Charles Wright Cox of Wilmington, N.C.; her son, Alan Leigh Cox; and her brother, Louis Preston Smith Jr. She was born Betty May Smith in Richmond, Va. on November 11, 1925, to working class parents, who immediately taught her honesty and honor in all things. After high school, she worked for Western Union Corp. and later became private secretary to the vice president of B.W. Wilson Paper Co., but her passion for higher education drove her to attend Averett College in Danville, Va., where she captained the State-Champion debate team. She received her Associates Degree in English in 1945, working full-time to do so. After returning to Richmond, Betty resumed work and in February of 1950 audtioned for a play at The Richmond Professional Institute of the College of William and Mary, (now VCU). She and the director, Dr. Charles Wright Cox, were instantly attracted and they married on November 11, 1950, her 25th birthday. After his career took him to Northwestern University, she resumed her education, receiving her Bachelor's in English from Northwestern in 1953. They then raised three sons, David Bryan Cox, Michael Preston Cox and Alan Leigh Cox (deceased). In 1961, she received her Master's degree and then her Ph.D in 1964 from The University of Pittsburgh. Dr. Cox conducted post-doctorate research at UCLA, and was considered a renowned scholar in old English. Eventually, she published her dissertation at "Cruces of Beowulf", a book which, to this day, is on the required reading lists of many universities at the post-graduate level. She went on to teach Literature and English at various colleges including Mars Hill College, finishing her career as Chairman of the English Department of Gardner-Webb University. She loved teaching and her passion for it ignited the mutual respect and admiration of her students, some of whom stayed in touch throughout her life. She was also proud to be a commencement speaker for Averett College. A fighter all through life, she survived the loss of a young son, and also defeated breast cancer. Both Dr. Cox's retired from Gardner-Webb at the same time and moved to Newport News, Va., near Fort Eustis ,where Charles had earlier served in the Army. There, Betty continued her love of life and all things beautiful, writing poetry and becoming so adept at calligraphy that it became a part-time business, and making such an impact on the neighborhood that the street name on which they lived was changed to "Cox Landing". She moved back to Richmond in 2005 and was a resident at Morningside in the West End where she died peacefully. Survivors include two sons, David B. Cox and his wife, Deborah K. Cox, of Richmond and Michael P. Cox and his wife, Kelly O. Cox, of Charlotte, N.C; five grandchildren, Elizabeth Cox of Asheville, N.C., Bryan Cox and William Cox of Richmond and Courtney Cox and Zachary Cox of Charlotte, N.C.; and one great-grandchild, Alanna Serenity Blankenship-Cox of Asheville, N.C. A memorial service will take place at 2 p.m. on Sunday, September 28, at St. Bartholomew's Episcopal Church, 10627 Patterson Avenue, Richmond, Va. 23233, with reception to follow. Her ashes will be interred with her husband, Charles and son, Alan, in the National Cemetery, Wilmington, N.C. Betty loved flowers and they can be sent to the church, or memorial contributions can be made to the American Cancer Society.
This obituary was originally published in the Richmond Times-Dispatch.