Emma Jane Cox

August 26, 1937 - July 24, 2011

Emma Jane Cox passed peacefully in Port Arthur, Texas on July 24, 2011 at 10:45PM. She was surrounded by her family as she went on to be with Christ and her dear departed loved ones. Emma Jane was born to CO. and Berta Mae Simmons on August 26, 1937. She grew up in the home her parents built in Port Arthur, and graduated from Thomas Jefferson in 1955. She married Robert J. (Jerry) Cox in 1957, and they had three children, Marty, Jerry Kenneth, and Judy. Emma Jane suffered the terrible sadness of losing her precious son, Jerry Kenneth, to cancer in 1981. She was a brave and supportive nurse to him through his battle with the vicious disease. Emma Jane was a very intelligent woman, and in many ways, far ahead of her time. Though opportunities were limited, she continued her education after high school in Port Arthur's Business College, and went on to make a career in industrial transportation at Port Iron. Emma Jane was one of the women who pounded against that glass ceiling and paved the way for the next generation of women to achieve equality in the workplace - for which her daughters and grand-daughters are most grateful. With the guidance of her mother and grandmother, Emma Jane was also an incredible seamstress. She was magic with any kind of fabric. She made clothing for her children and herself. She made the most beautiful quilts, truly worthy of an art museum. Perhaps most of all, Emma Jane was a very spiritual soul. For all of her life, she was always fully engaged in her local Baptist Church, First Park Place and then First Baptist, both in Port Arthur. Emma Jane was generous with her time and talent, and always volunteered to support the church and its members. She loved working with the children in Vacation Bible School. She was instrumental in designing and crafting the costumes for the "Living Christmas Tree" church performance. Emma Jane, affectionately known as EJ, is survived by her husband, Jerry Cox; her brother and sister, David Louis Simmons and Melinda Simmons Phillips; her daughters, Marty Campbell and Judy Keys; her grand-daughters, Angie Fernandez, Sherri Farrell, and Kristen Keys; and her great-grandson, Gavin Fernandez. She is now with her beloved son, Jerry Kenneth Cox; her sister Betty Grace Verrett; and her parents, CD and Berta Mae Simmons.