Denise Michelle Cox (Todd)

Denise M. Cox, born February 5, 1955, departed this life peacefully on the afternoon of February 28, 2023, at Methodist University Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee, with her loving family, life partner and dear friend surrounding her bedside in her room filled with Sunlight. She battled kidney failure for almost a decade. She was the eldest daughter of Buford and Lois Cox. She was preceded by both parents and her youngest sister, Tonja Cox. She is survived by her sister, Teresa Cox-Crum; brother, James Dewayne Cox; nieces, Marcie Cooper, and Tina Cox-Rush; nephew, Zack Cox; niece, Tiff Crum-Churchill; her life partner, H. Allen Rankin and other family members and many, many close friends.

Denise graduated from Trezevant High School in 1973, in Memphis. Denise received her undergraduate degree at University of Tennessee in June of 1977. She received her Master of Science at University of Memphis in May of 1982. She trained at the Memphis Jung Seminar; 1995-98 and 2000-2003. She attended training with Dr. Jean Houston that co-founded the Foundation for Mind Research. She began her private general practice as a psychotherapist, senior psychological examiner and learning specialist helping to determine accommodations for and provide learning strategies instruction to students diagnosed with Learning Disabilities and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. She practiced general psychotherapy in her later years.

Her passion was helping people, standing up against social injustice, rescuing fur buddies, gardening vegetables, cooking, knitting, reading and learning. Her spiritual path was varied and complex. She respected all faith traditions. She practiced Tibetan Buddhism. She had strong interest and ties with Lakota Native American traditions. She had the kindest most compassionate heart to love unconditionally. She will be missed by many. Now her spirit is free from suffering and shines brightly on us all.

The family requests memorials be sent to either:

The American Kidney Foundation

https://secure.kidneyfund.org

Pema Karpo Meditation Center

http://www.pemakarpo.org

Plans for a life celebration will be shared here very soon.