Born on February 17, 1927, Love was the daughter of the late Heber and Essie Edwards and grew up in Beaufort County. As a young lady, she met and married Joseph Thomas “J.T.” Cox, Jr. They were blessed with 65 years of marriage, five children and a host of grandchildren and great grandchildren, who she loved dearly and never missed a birthday. Sadly, she was preceded in death by her husband and daughters, Linda Cox Edmondson and Brenda Cox Hinshaw, who no doubt were there to greet her as she entered Heaven’s gates.

Love leaves behind to cherish her memory, three children: son, Joseph Thomas “Tommy” Cox, III and wife, Julie, of Wilmington; daughters, Patricia Cox Fodel and husband, Tommy, of Jamestown and Kristi Cox Peters of Little Rock, AR; six grandsons, Russ Edmondson, Jay Cox, Chris Edmondson, Kyle Hinshaw, Josh Hinshaw and Reece Peters; six granddaughters, Mary Love Edmondson, Anna Love Logan, Anna Elizabeth Moser, Mary Kathryn Fodel, Katie Love Dillon and Elliot Peters; and 13 great grandchildren.

Services will be 3 p.m. on Monday, January 16 at Smyrna Free Will Baptist Church with the Reverends Joel Cannon and Rex Bennett officiating. The family will receive friends for one hour prior to the service at the church. Burial in Oakdale Cemetery will be at a later time.

For those considering making a memorial contribution, the family suggests that they be made in Love’s name to the Smyrna Free Will Baptist Church Building Fund, P.O. Box 77, Blounts Creek, NC 27814 or to the Shriners Hospitals for Children, 950 Faris Road, Greenville, SC 29605.

Cotten Funeral Home & Crematory is honored to serve the family and friends of Love Edwards Cox … she will be missed dearly.