IDA MAY COX, age 92, was born April 21, 1923 in Cairo, Illinois, and passed from death into eternal life on Tuesday, August 18. She was preceded in death by her husband, James R. Cox; parents, Ed and Lois Wamble; and sister, Annie Rea Phillips. Survivors include three children: Jimmy Cox and wife Wanda, of Decatur, TX; Judy Cox Robinson and husband Kirby, of Flower Mound, TX; and Joe L. Cox and wife, Pam, of Rowlett, TX; five grandchildren, Jeff Cox, Andrew Robinson, Amy Robinson, Jason Cox and Jared Cox. Ida May is also survived by her sister, June Milam, of Jackson, TN and numerous nephews and nieces.
Ida May and her husband, Jimmy, went into the ministry after having 3 children. She was totally supportive of leaving a good paying job and entering the ministry. She was the perfect pastor’s wife and loved serving in the church. She loved visiting, providing food, teaching, and just being in charge of whatever needed to be done. She had found her purpose in life. She finally did go into public work when her children were grown; however, that didn’t last long. While working at El Chico Corporation in accounting, she and Jimmy began to notice the Cambodian refugees arriving in the Carrollton area. They both retired and started a new phase in their life. They were able to provide support by finding jobs, places to live and, most of all, sharing the gospel. It wasn’t uncommon for them to take someone to the hospital, and on two occasions, a Cambodian mother gave birth in their car on the way to the hospital. Ida was never shy about contacting employers concerning hiring refugees, many of whom are still employed with the same company today. They also took in a young man, Sophea Nhem, who needed a home, and provided for him through his high school years. Several years ago, she had a new passion and made a donation to start a fund to build churches within Cambodia. Even with the loss of her husband in 1990, and years later after being diagnosed with cancer, her faith and devotion to the Lord never faltered.
There were a few times when she surprised us all. In her late 50’s, she decided she wanted to learn to paint. Each of her children has one of her paintings in their homes. Another surprise was going to square dance class, and when she tired of that, she took line dance class at the senior center. She lived life to the fullest.
Ida May was a loving wife and mother. She has passed down her legacy of faith to her children and grandchildren. Nothing was more important than seeing them come to know Christ and to depend totally on the Lord.
She never consciously thought about making a difference in someone’s life, but she definitely left this world having done that. It was never about her, always about HIM.
For those unable to attend services, an open visitation will be held at Rhoton Funeral Home, 1511 South I35 E, Carrollton, TX 75006, from 11am until 5pm, Friday, August 21, 2015. Visitation is scheduled for Saturday, August 22, 2015, from 10am until 11am at First Baptist Church of Carrollton, 2400 North Josey Ln, Carrollton, TX 75006. Services will follow at 11am in the sanctuary of the church, with burial to follow at Hilltop Memorial Park, 1810 North Perry Rd., Carrollton, TX 75006.
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