Mamie Cox

JONESBORO - Mamie Lee "Mimi" Cox, 87, passed away on Aug. 17, 2025, at Encompass Health Rehabilitation Hospital in Jonesboro. She was born on Nov. 26, 1937, in Meridian, Miss., to the late Rhea Peary Lomax, Sr. and Lois Martin Lomax.

Mimi was raised in Laurel, Miss., graduating from high school at the age of 16. Mimi attended Judson College in Marion, Ala., and graduated from the University of Mississippi (Ole Miss) with a degree in education when she was 19 years old. At Ole Miss, Mimi was a member of the Alpha Mu chapter of Kappa Delta sorority. On Aug. 25, 1957, she married William Stanley "Bill" Cox, Jr. Mimi taught third grade while Bill finished pharmacy school. After Bill graduated from pharmacy school, Mimi moved to Jonesboro and began a lifetime of community and faith-based service.

Mimi was a life member of Junior Auxiliary, an alumni advisor to the young ladies of the Delta Kappa chapter of Kappa Delta at Arkansas State University, and she was a charter member of Chapter BN and an active member of Chapter AJ of the P.E.O. Sisterhood. She was the Education Director at First United Methodist Church and a choir director of The Christian Edition choir. Mimi served as the Youth Director of Trinity Church and the Choir Director of the Maranatha Singers. For many summers, Mimi and Bill would lead choir and mission trips for the youth groups of First United Methodist Church and Trinity Church. She was on the Board of Directors of the Pregnancy Resource Center (now Options on Main), a member of the Horticulture Garden Club, and a member of the Craighead County Historical Society. She was in the first class of the Craighead County Master Gardeners, achieving life membership and remaining active until her death. She was also involved in County 76. Always the teacher, she loved to teach and mentor new gardeners.

In addition to her parents and husband, Bill, Mimi was preceded in death by her brother R. Peary Lomax. Jr. She is survived by her children, Sammye (Jeff) Pagan of Jonesboro and Buddy (Gina) Cox of Birmingham, Ala.; her sister, Dr. Rebecca Lomax (Frank Weicks) of Charlotte, Miss.; and her sister-in-law, Brenda Lomax of Laurel, Miss. She also leaves to cherish her memory five grandchildren, Matt (Elisabeth) Pagan and Jonathan Pagan of Fayetteville, Peary (Tiffany) Cox of Richmond Hills, Ga., Tyler (Hannah) Cox of Colorado Springs, Colo., and Emily Cox of Nashville, Tenn. She also had the joy of knowing three great-grandchildren, Madison Jane Cox, Jordan Patrick Cox, and Owen Matthew Pagan. She also cherished many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Visitation will be on Friday, Sept. 19, from 5:30 to 8 p.m. at Emerson Funeral Home. A graveside service will be held on Saturday, Sept. 20, at 1 p.m. at Jonesboro Memorial Park, with a memorial service at 2 p.m. at Emerson Funeral Home.

For lasting memorials, please consider First NEA Missions, 1020 Airport Road, Jonesboro, Ark., 72405; Options on Main, 910 S. Main St., Jonesboro, Ark., 72401; or Ronald McDonald House Charities of Arkansas & North Louisiana, 1501 W. 10th Street, Little Rock, Ark., 72202.