Martha Jane Cox, age 69, passed away on Sunday, September 11, 2022, at the AdventHealth Care Center in Zephyrhills, Florida.

Martha was totally disabled by Progressive Multiple Sclerosis.  Her disease worsened over the years and was recently exacerbated by pneumonia and pleurisy which sadly caused her death.

Martha was born in Shreveport, Louisiana on October 28, 1952, to Warren and Betty Charleston where she joined older sister Dare and brother Harley and a few years later by younger sister Lee.

Warren and Betty made their home in the Beaumont, Texas area until 1969.  At that time, a need arose to move to Portland, Oregon to take care of Hazel, Warren’s aging mother.  Warren and Betty made the Oregon move with Martha and Lee.

Martha graduated from Washington High School in Portland, Oregon in 1971.  Her beauty and charm won her the privilege of representing the school as Martha Washington in the famous Portland Rose Festival Parade.  Martha went on to complete a year of study at Florida College in Temple Terrace, Florida in 1972. At Florida College she participated in a variety of activities, made lots of friends, and thoroughly enjoyed the wholesome Christian atmosphere of campus life.  She especially enjoyed choir and singing gospel songs.

After Florida College Martha returned to Portland, Oregon where she attended Portland State University.  During this time, Martha’s cousin Celeste LeDuke arranged a blind date for Martha to meet a young college student named Bob Cox.  That date developed into an incredible romance that led to Martha and Bob’s wedding on July 6, 1973, in the Rose Garden of Washington Park in Portland, Oregon.  Martha and Bob enjoyed over 49 years of marriage.

On January 17, 1979, Martha gave birth to their first child, Lanna Louise Cox and on March 17, 1982, Martha and Bob welcomed their second child, April Kristen Cox to complete the family.

Martha is survived by her husband Bob Cox of Valrico, Florida, and children Lanna (Tom) Rainwater of Dover, Florida, and April Cox of Steamboat Springs, Colorado.  Martha is also survived by her precious granddaughter, Bianca Cox of Steamboat Springs, Colorado.  In addition, she is survived by her sister, Dare Campbell of Vidor, Texas, brother Harley (Lavonda) Charleston of Vidor, Texas, and sister Lee (Jim) Whiting of Greensboro, North Carolina.

Martha was an enthusiastic gardener who took immense pride in overseeing the plants and landscape of our Happy Valley, Oregon home.  She earned a Master Gardener designation from the Oregon State University Extension Service.  She also enjoyed participating in her gardening club – “The Dirty Girls.”

Martha was also a creative and talented cook.  Her disability did not prevent her from cooking vicariously through Bob and others with detailed instructions on ingredients and the right spices to make really delicious food.

Most importantly, Martha was a devout Christian who enjoyed Bible Study and sharing the gospel with others. She lived her life as a faithful Christian with many years of membership at the 160th Avenue Church of Christ in Portland, Oregon.  She especially enjoyed the ladies’ bible class which was often hosted in her home.  She practiced warm and generous hospitality always looking for ways to help other Christians.

Martha struggled with disability caused by her progressive Multiple Sclerosis which led to her being confined to a power chair for many years.  In 2003, Bob purchased a special handicap Class A Motorhome equipped with a lift and roll-in-shower that made it possible them to travel throughout the country over the years creating many wonderful memories of our nation’s beauty.

Despite her disability, Martha always had a smile on her face and unwavering determination and faithfulness in serving the Lord.  She seldom missed a church service and took great comfort in reading her Bible.  She was a worthy woman for the Lord, her husband, her family, and everyone that knew her. 

She will be missed.  Her life will long be remembered and cherished by everyone. Well done, good and faithful servant.  

A Memorial and Celebration of Life Service will be held for Martha on Saturday, September 17, 2022, 4:00 PM at the Hodges Family Funeral Home, 36327 State Road 54 in Zephyrhills, Florida.