Barbara Jean (Deason) Cox

Barbara Jean Deason Cox came into this world on January 29, 1939, in Tarrant, Alabama (Jefferson County), and graduated from here to her eternal home in Heaven on August 16, 2025. She was the first-born of 12 children of Grover Carver Deason and Mary Dulcie Hobson Deason.  On December 25, 1958, she became the wife of Henry Hayne Cox of Centreville, Alabama, who was a ministerial student majoring in Religion at Howard College (now Samford University) in Birmingham, Alabama. She continued working to help her husband complete his education, and in January 1960, she began her long-time ministry as a pastor’s wife and fellow servant of Jesus Christ when they were called to serve their first church in Gardendale, Alabama.  As they both grew together in their faith and people skills while serving the Lord by serving a congregation, she embraced this new responsibility and experience with an open mind and a receptive heart.  Early years of helping her mother care for her younger siblings were the beginnings of her strong work ethic, her ability to accept and fulfill responsibilities, her integrity, and her beautiful servant-heart.  She accepted Jesus as her Savior and was born again on March 30, 1956. She walked down the aisle of Centreville Baptist Church on the crowded Easter Sunday morning of April 1, 1956, to publicly profess her faith in Jesus Christ.  From that day forward, the Holy Spirit continued developing her spiritual gifts and natural talents, shaping her into the unforgettable woman that she was.

Henry and Barbara started their family on April 29, 1961, when their daughter Robbi was born.  It was the beginning of the wonderful, terrifying, beautiful, and messy world of parenting.  Barbara was a natural mother from day one, even with the huge responsibility of being a pastor’s wife of a Baptist church, with all the expectations and demands that position brought with it.  She never faltered in her faith and excelled in these days of both ministry and motherhood, even in the difficult days of Henry’s seminary training from 1962-1965.  After graduation from the New Orleans Baptist Seminary in New Orleans, Louisiana, Barbara and Henry found themselves in Archibald, Louisiana, serving the First Baptist Church in that community.  While there, their son Timothy was born on October 14, 1965.  Once again, Barbara assumed the heavier load of caring for two children while serving a church as a pastor’s wife without complaint or regrets.  She was continuing to grow as both mother and minister.

Henry and Barbara have always described their life together as a love story.  It all began with their individual love for Jesus.  They vowed to each other and to Jesus to love Him most and to put Him first, while loving each other “right next to Jesus.”  When their children were born, they were loved next in line, and each grandchild was added next (and so were the five great grandchildren).  Their love has only grown more through the 66 years, 7 months, and 22 days on this earth, and it will continue throughout eternity.

She will always be remembered as Sweetheart, Mom, Mimi, Barbara, Miss Barbara, friend, and sister by both family and friends.  Her legacy of love and discipline will always be a strong influence in the lives of her children and grandchildren, while her leadership in the churches she has served will continue to be remembered as an example to follow.  As a pastor’s wife she worked closely with her husband in their churches.  She served as a Sunday School Teacher, a Missions Leader, Evangelism Visitation Team Leader, Prayer Team Leader, Women’s Bible Study Leader, Senior Adult Ministry Leader, Children’s Sword Drill Leader, and various other ministries.  Truly, she was a servant of Jesus who was greatly loved and respected by each of the eight congregations she served alongside her husband.

She is survived by her husband, Dr. Henry H. Cox; a daughter; Robbi Cox Beauchamp (Robert); a son, Dr. Timothy Morris Cox (Dawn); seven grandchildren: Bobby Beauchamp; Tara Beauchamp; Andee Eddy (Caleb); Anna Meherg (Judson); Drew Cox (Kinsley); Kyla Johnson (Larry); Kaden Kugler; five great grandchildren: Loretta Johnson; Savannah Johnson; Samuel Johnson; Eloise Cox; Wells Harbin Cox; three brothers: Elbert Deason; Louie Deason (Janice); William Deason (Sandy); three sisters: Frances McGee; Joyce Collins; Margaret Bailey; sister-in-law, Fran Deason (widow of Rod Deason); one brother-in-law: Lamon Turner and a host of nephews, nieces, cousins, and friends

Heart-felt thanks and much love to the following:  Caregiver Shay Hodgen (who was and is loved as a daughter); the extended Christian families of First Baptist Church and Durant Chapel Baptist Church; many friends and neighbors.  All of you have blessed us beyond description with your countless words and deeds of kindness.  Thank you!  

She was preceded in death by her parents: Carver and Dulcie Deason; two brothers: Mickey Deason; Rod Deason (Fran); three sisters: Ann Deason; Mary Jo Deason Gamble; Alberta Deason Turner; four brothers-in-law: Billy Ray Gamble; Odis McGee; Perry Collins and one daughter-in-law: Anje Harbin Cox

Funeral services will be held Tuesday, August 19, 2025 at 11:30 a.m. at the First Baptist Church with Dr. Chip Starnes, Dr. Timothy Cox and Dr. Henry Cox officiating. There will be no graveside service.

The family will receive friends Tuesday, August 19, 2025 from 9:30 a.m. until the 11:30 a.m. service at the First Baptist Church.

Pallbearers will be Robert Beauchamp; Judson Meherg; Caleb Eddy; Larry Johnson III, Bobby Beauchamp; Drew Cox; Kaden Kugler

Flowers and/or memorial contributions are welcome. Contributions may be made to, First Baptist Church, Bay Minette, General Fund; Durant Chapel Baptist Church, General Fund or to Community Hospice

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