Barbara Ethel Cox, 82, of Madill, passed away Saturday, September 27, in Oklahoma City. She was born December 22,1942, in Dearborn, Mich., to Isaac Earl Vick and Lottie Barbara Dixon Vick.
Barbara moved at a young age with her family to the panhandle of Texas and grew up in the communities around Shamrock, Texas. In 1958, she relocated to Russett, Okla., where she later graduated from Mannsville High School in 1962. She went on to earn her certification as a beautician.
On May 8, 1965, Barbara married the love of her life, Merle Homer Cox, in Durant. She worked for many years at the Madill Pants Factory, then later at the Dollar General Warehouse. Barbara was a member of the Baptist church. She loved bowling, time with her grandchildren, and especially her Friday mornings at Kelly’s Hair Salon.
Barbara was preceded in death by her beloved son, Merle Homer Cox Jr.; parents; brothers, Bob, Clayton, Burl, Jerry, Tom, Richard and Ronnie; sisters Marie Shelton, Betty Morgan, Lola Vick, Siccola Ballard, LaVern Kimbrell and Lorrene Auld.
Barbara is survived by her husband, Merle Homer Cox Sr. of Madill; daughter, Karen Eddings and husband Steven of Russett; daughter-in-law Debbie Cox of Canadian; grandchildren, Daniel Connel of Fort Hood, Texas, Mason Eddings and wife Macie of Russett, Taylor James and husband Derrick of McAlester, Raegin Holman and husband Donnie of Russett; great-grandchildren, Logan Homer Connel, Breanne Elizabeth Lee Connel, Austin Kate Eddings, Hardin Merle Holman and Dawson Kent Eddings, who is expected to arrive in December 2025; brother, Russell Vick of San Antonio, Texas; and her sister, Pauline James of Chandler, Okla.
Visitation will be from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Thursday, October 2, 2025, at Watts Funeral Home in Madill, Okla. Family hour will be from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. Funeral service will be at 10 a.m. on Friday, October 3, 2025, at the Watts Memorial Chapel in Madill, Okla. Roy Vinson will officiate the service. Interment will follow at the Lebanon Cemetery. Guestbook available at wattsfuneralhome.com and condolences may be sent to wattsfuneralhome.com.
Pallbearers will be Daniel Connel, Mason Eddings, Taylor James, Raegin Holman, Macie Eddings, Derrick James and Donnie Holman.
Honorary pallbearers include Mary Ann Hale, Kevin Hale, Wes Saxon, Jess Porter, Brenda Grider and Charles Vick.