Luzie Alice Cox

During her school years, Luzie excelled in academics as well as swimming and gymnastics. Soon after the end of World War II, in the winter of 1945, she was forced to flee Lauban with her mother during the Russian invasion of Schlesien. Having lost most of their relatives, Luzie and her mother eventually established a new life in Nurnberg, Germany.

Several years later, Luzie met Raymon Cox, a Black American soldier from Kinston, North Carolina, serving with the U.S. Armed Forces in Europe. On March 26, 1955, the couple married, openly defying legislation banning interracial marriage. In April 1955, Luzie left Germany to live with her husband in the United States (Fort Carson, Colorado) exemplifying the courage and determination that shaped and defined her extraordinary life. On June 29, 1956, she received her Certificate of Naturalization from the State of Colorado, County of El Paso, and celebrated her new role as an American citizen.

During the course of her career—which centered on raising five rowdy, rambunctious children—Luzie held several jobs with various service agencies, working her way up to her final job as Food Services Manager for a local K-Mart store, where she spent the next twenty years. Following her retirement, she lived in both Colorado Springs and San Diego, enjoying swimming and water aerobics, volunteering for Silver Key, and taking several cross-country road trips with her friends.

Luzie was preceded in death by her parents; her son, Johnnie Jackson Cox; and her beloved husband, Raymon Cox. Left to mourn her passing and to celebrate her life are four children: Raymond (Tataina) Cox, Jr., of Colorado Springs, CO., Novella H. Cox of San Diego, CA., Jenny K. (William A. ) Deloatch of San Diego, CA., and Durthy A. Washington, of Colorado Springs, CO. Her living legacy also includes six grandchildren—Alicia N. (Fiancé Gary Orr) Cox, Anthony R. (Kimberly)Langston, Gregory Langston, Raymond Cox III, Curt (Donnica) Deloatch, Reshea Deloatch, and Curtis J. (Mizuho)Washington—thirteen great-grandchildren, other relatives, and many friends.