Barbara Cox

COX (Coulter), Barbara

Barbara (Coulter) Davis Cox, 81, of Fall River, MA, passed away peacefully on December 13, 2025, at the Hope Health Hulitar Hospice Center in Providence, RI.

Born in Washington, D.C., she was the beloved daughter of the late William and Ruth (McCarrell) Coulter. Barbara made her home in Fall River near family, having previously resided in Knoxville, TN, Atlanta, GA, Jonesboro, GA, Monticello, IA, Washington, MO and Athens, AL throughout her life as her career and family journey unfolded.

She went to Young High School in Knoxville graduating in 1962 before earning her bachelor's degree in education from the University of Tennessee. After moving to Atlanta she earned her master's degree in education from Georgia State University. She later completed her Education Specialist degree and ESOL certification at Lincoln Memorial University, reflecting her lifelong commitment to education and personal growth.

Barbara was a passionate teacher of both English and social studies and strived to bring out the best in her students by weaving both together. She spent 40 years as a teacher, touching countless lives through her dedication, intellect, and passion for learning before retiring in 2006. She began teaching in Knoxville at Cedar Bluff School and the Webb School before moving to Atlanta to teach at the Woodward Academy, Adamson Junior High School, and Mount Zion High School. She also taught at Washington High School in Missouri. Perhaps most interestingly, she taught at the Iowa State Prison hoping to show the power of literacy to engage the mind and alter a life path. She was immensely proud of this work. After retirement, she taught, tutored, and wrote grants for youth and adult literacy with Learn to Read in Athens, AL.

Barbara was the cherished family historian, preserving stories, songs, and memories that will be treasured for generations. She had a deep love for genealogy, enjoyed reading, and was known for her thoughtful and spirited discussions on many things but especially international history and politics. Her curiosity, wisdom, and sharp mind were matched by her warmth and devotion to her family, whom she loved deeply and supported unwaveringly. Barbara was the family social butterfly. She can and would strike up friendships with anyone she met. When she moved to Fall River, she immediately became a regular at bingo and scrabble games, trips around town, and other activities with a wide group of friends.

She is survived her two loving daughters: Laura Davis Roberts and her husband, Joseph, of Barrington, RI and Kristin Leanne Davis Edmondson and her husband, Christopher, of Nashville, TN; her beloved grandchildren: Matthew Roberts and his wife, Alexa, of Atlanta, GA; Lily Edmondson of Denver, CO; Anna Edmondson of Nashville, TN; Adam Roberts of Barrington, RI; and her sister Jeannie Jones and her husband David of Pawleys Island, SC. She was preceded in death by her sister, Teresa Coulter; and her parents.

Barbara will be remembered for her intellect, her love of learning, her dedication to family, and the lasting impact she made as a teacher, mother, grandmother, and sister. Her legacy lives on in the lives she shaped and the memories she so carefully preserved.

Burial will take place in the summer of 2026 at Mount Olive Cemetery in Knoxville, Tennessee, when her entire family can convene to lay her to rest next to her parents. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in memory of Barbara Cox to the Athens Limestone County Family Resource Center Learn to Read by mailing a check to 406 South Jefferson Street, Athens AL 35611 or on PayPal at https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=JHMVW4BK24Q84.