Mary Elizabeth Cox Waitzman

Mary Elizabeth Cox Waitzman passed away at the age of 100, on Saturday, December 23, 2023. She was preceded in death by her husband James (Jim) Whitfield Waitzman, and by her parents Wilmore P. Cox and Elizabeth Lewis Cox, and by her brothers Pete Cox, Jimmy Cox, Joe Cox, and Richard Cox. Mary Elizabeth is survived by her children James W. Waitzman, Jr. (Carole), Elizabeth Waitzman Kerr (Howard), Mollie Waitzman Chambers (Tom), and William C. Waitzman; 9 grandchildren, 19 great grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews. The family would like to thank Ida Austin, LaMiriam Webb, Wylissa Graham, and Jacqueline Graham for all their loving care.

Mary Elizabeth was born on October 12, 1923, in Philadelphia, PA and was a lifelong resident of Birmingham. She attended Mountain Brook Elementary School, Phillips High School, Misses Howard School for Girls, and Arlington College. During WWII, she worked in the secretarial pool at the Tennessee Coal & Iron Company. In 1945, she married Navy Lieutenant Jim Waitzman, and they lived at several Naval Air Stations around the country. In 1946, they began their family life in Crestline, then Homewood, and Mountain Brook, attending Our Lady of Sorrows and St. Francis Xavier Catholic Churches.

She had many friends, was very active in the Junior League, and was one of the founders of the Gaities Dance Club. She loved her weekly bridge games and the Highland Sewing Club. She was a member of The Club and the Mountain Brook Club. Mary Elizabeth was very supportive of her husband in his business at Tractor & Equipment Co., traveling all over the world with their customers and business associates. Jim and Mary Elizabeth enjoyed their special times at Four Mile Village and cruising on Seabourn ships. Her strong Catholic faith, her devotion to family, and her many friends were first and foremost in her life.

The family will receive friends at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church Chapel on December 28, 2023, beginning at ten o'clock in the morning with the funeral service to follow at eleven o'clock in the morning. Graveside services for the family will be private.

The family request donations in memory of Mary Elizabeth Waitzman to St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church or to the Four Mile Village/Coffeen Land Trust.

Arrangements under the direction of Ridout’s Valley Chapel, Homewood, AL.