Norma Jean Cox

On Thanksgiving Day, November 27, 2025, Norma Jean Cox (better known as Jean) was rescued from her fifteen-year battle with dementia. Formerly from Tyler, Texas, Jean spent the last several years in Austin, Texas to be closer to family. Born on, April 3, 1931, Jean grew up in New London, Texas, where she graduated from New London High School and later attended Business School. In 1951, Jean met and married Oliver Douglas (“Buddy”) Cox. Jean and Buddy, made a home in Tyler for over 40 years where they raised their two daughters who were both graduates of Lee High School. Jean worked for 26 years from 1965 to 1991 as an accountant for Tyler Pipe Industries. After Buddy’s death in 1993, Jean became more active in the Tyler area by becoming a member of the Tyler Salvation Army Women’s Auxiliary where she served as the Treasurer for many years and spent untold hours collecting, mending, and preparing children’s toys for the Auxiliary’s annual fundraiser. Jean was a great Mom, Grandmother, and Aunt as well as a good neighbor and a longtime member of a weekly Mahjong group. She was very competitive and there was never a family gathering without a skip bo game or a chicken foot domino game. Jean is survived by her two daughters and their families: Sherri Bell, her husband Greg, and their children and grandchildren: Lauren, Paul, Sydney and Morgan Smith, Jordan, Stacey and Max Bell, Andrew Bell and Cameron Bell, and Jean’s younger daughter, Carol Polumbo. Additionally, Jean is also survived by four nieces and nephews, Karen Ley Frazier, Suzanne and Larry Voise (all from Oklahoma), Donnie and Milton Sullivent and Teresa and Floyd Dudley of Liberty City and Long Branch, Texas, respectively. Jean always commented that it was amazing that three sisters could produce such a large family and she is further survived by a host of great nieces and nephews including Tara Voise Smith, Kristi Voise, Nicholas Ley, Natalie Ley Stewart, Art Dudley, Lee Dudley, and Melissa Sullivent. It goes without saying, Jean is survived by a host of close family friends including Cheryl Allen. Services for Jean will be held at the Stewart Family Funeral Home Chapel located at 7525 Old Jacksonville Highway, Tyler, Texas. Burial will follow at the Cathedral in the Pines Cemetery located at 7625 South Broadway, Tyler, Texas 75703. In lieu of flowers, the family requests any donations be made to the Tyler Salvation Army Women’s Auxiliary.

Norma Jean Cox

April 3, 1931 - November 27, 2025