Judith "Judy" Gardner Cox

Judy Cox passed away peacefully at home early Friday morning with her family by her side. Judy had the ability to make us laugh and even find the fun at times during her long dance with Alzheimer’s. She is now completely at peace with her Lord.

Judy was born in Willow Springs, Johnston County to Herman and Gladys Gardner. She graduated from Cleveland High School and East Carolina University. After graduation from ECU, she taught in Middleburg before teaching business education at Clayton High School. She left teaching to dedicate her time and energy to her family and her community. She balanced farm work, raising kids, community and church with endless energy and grace. After many years away from teaching she went back to Clayton High School as a career counselor. In that role she was instrumental in starting the annual career fair and she loved the job, the students and her colleagues. She taught at Clayton High until her retirement. She always enjoyed everything she did and made sure it was fun for all no matter the task.

She was previously a member of White Memorial Presbyterian Church in Willow Springs and that church family always held a special place in her heart. After getting married and moving to Clayton she became a lifelong member of First Baptist Church Clayton. She served in many leadership roles over the years including teaching Sunday School for which she spent hours in weekly preparation even when fighting the early stages of Alzheimer’s. She was also involved in many aspects of the children’s ministry including starting the puppet ministry at church together with her husband who was a partner in faith.

She is survived by her husband of 59 years, Jimmy R. Cox. They were a dream team in everything they did, and Jimmy cared for her every need until the very end. She is also survived by a daughter Jill Jenkins (David) and sons Jason Cox and Jon Cox as well as her four grandchildren Rebecca Jenkins, Maria Jenkins, Roscoe Cox and Ella Jean (EJ) Cox. Additionally, she is survived by her brother Kim Gardner (Geri) and sister-in-law Beverly Gardner (Michael) as well as sister-in-law Connie Adams (Tom). She is preceded in death by her parents and brother Michael Gardner.

Judy was the beneficiary of many answered prayers over the course of her journey but none more meaningful than the amazing caregivers she had over many years. Pat, Michelle and Cookie were her dear friends in each stage of her decline with spiritual support, dance parties, singing and laughing until the end. The family is eternally grateful for their care and love.

Judy believed and said many times that ‘a Christian funeral should be a time of celebration!’ She was a dedicated soldier, and we celebrate her life eternal.

A funeral service celebrating Judy's life will be held at 2:00pm on Wednesday, November12, 2025 at the First Baptist Church of Clayton. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service from 1:00 until 2:00 pm. The interment will follow at the services at Pinecrest Memorial Park in Clayton.

In lieu of flowers please make contributions to The Baptist Children’s Homes of North Carolina (bchfamily.org)