Marsha Gail (Ragsdale) Cox was born July 28, 1949 in Davenport, Iowa to Dr. Norman Ragsdale and Mrs. Edna Ragsdale. She was baptized as a young woman on Oct 2, 1960 by Olin Hay at South Louisville Christian Church and spent her life following Jesus. Some of her best memories were weeks in summer camp at White Mills Christian Church. She enjoyed family gatherings in Louisville, KY with her aunts, uncles, and cousins. Her aunts and uncles were very important to her early life for unconditional love and support.
Marsha attended Durrett High School in Louisville, KY and recently helped organize alumni; completing the Durrett Directory. She studied English and History at the University of Louisville and Morehead State University and Library Science at the University of Kentucky. She later completed a Bachelor’s of Arts degree in Art History at Kennesaw State University, which culminated in the Senior Art Show and was reviewed by The Atlanta Journal and Constitution. She was a member of Phi Kappa Phi, Golden Key, and the Woodstock Society.
Marsha’s first job was as at 15 years old as a secretary for Junkin Safety Appliance Company. After college, she was a teacher in St Mary’s, GA and in Wilmington, NC. She served as the Vice President of Dogwood Ministries in Marietta, GA. Her career was as a Media Specialist in Marietta, Ga and at Griffin Middle School. She also served as a slide librarian for Emory University Circulation, Main Library in Atlanta, GA.
Marsha married James Anthony (Tony) Cox in Louisville, KY on July 12, 1969. They were married 49 years until Tony passed away in 2019. They lived and attend churches throughout the southeast until Tony retired. Marsha & Tony lived in Greenville, TN; St Mary’s, GA; Rex, GA; Wilmington, NC; Marietta, GA; and Acworth, GA. Marsha read the Bible many times through during the course of her life. She taught children’s church and classes on Becoming a Christian. Marsha was a Bible Bowl Sponsor for 18 years and helped found the Bible Bowl League in GA. Marsha has many dear friends in Northwest Christian Church in Acworth, GA, which she was member of for 33 years. Since moving to AZ, Marsha helped visitors get connected at Pantano Christian Church, in Tucson, AZ.
Marsha was a talented artist in oil painting, ceramics, and photography among other forms. She loved reading, cycling, trivia, dancing, singing, skating, and keeping in contact with her many friends. She loved being the “dog mom” of several dogs including Maggie, Amber, Buddy, Georgie, and (most recently) Charlie “Teddy Bear.” Her great love was travel. During her life, she visited 44 states, and 49 countries on 6 continents. She visited many American and Canadian National Parks and enjoyed updating her National Parks Passport when she visited a new one. In between adventures, she loved to document her experiences in scrapbooks.
Marsha is survived by her three beloved children, Andrew Cox, Leah Stokes, and Christopher Stokes (Son-in-Law), along with her three precious grandchildren, Zoe Stokes, Gabriel Cox, and Kayla Stokes. She is also survived by her mother Edna Ragsdale, her sister Susan McSwain, her niece Cody, her nephews Daniel, Micah, and Andrew, and many cousins and friends. Marsha died on Monday, October 12, 2020 at the age of 71.
Expressions of sympathy may take the form of a donation in her memory to White Mills Christian Camp, PO Box #129, White Mills, KY, 42788.
Marsha will be buried at East Lawn Palms Mortuary and Cemetery in Tucson, AZ on Thursday, October 22, 2020 at 12pm. A funeral service will be held at the East Lawn Palms Mortuary at 11am, October 22, 2020. The funeral service will be available by livestream for anyone unable to attend.
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