Viva Mae Cox, 84, of Shelbyville, Texas, passed away peacefully on
September 6, 2024. She was born on January 21, 1940, in Orange, Texas, to
the late Clinton Franklin and Sarah (Guillory) Franklin.
Graveside service will be held at 10:30AM on Tuesday, September 10, 2024,
at East Hamilton Cemetery with Bro. Don Richey officiating.
Visitation will be prior to the graveside service beginning at 10AM at the
East Hamilton Cemtery pavilion.
Viva “Nanny” was the beloved wife of Dudley Cox, with whom she shared
48 wonderful years of marriage. She was a devoted mother to five children:
Bruce, Carole, Patty, Melinda, and Brenda, a cherished grandmother to nine
grandchildren, and a great-grandmother to ten great-grandchildren, with
more on the way.
Viva’s life was filled with love, creativity, and care. She had a passion for
crafts—sewing, quilting—along with cooking and gardening. She also had a
special fondness for hummingbirds—the little things that make life
beautiful. Her home was always filled with warmth, laughter, and the
inviting smell of her famous biscuits, for which everyone sought the recipe.
When busy with her crafts, one had to be cautious when sitting in her
favorite chair, as it often resembled a pin cushion, scattered with tools of her
trade.
For many years, Viva worked as a seamstress at Franklin's Sporting Goods,
where she artfully stitched the names and numbers of athletes onto jerseys.
One of her proudest moments was being entrusted with creating new
uniforms for the Houston Astros after theirs were lost—an accomplishment
she treasured, feeling she had contributed to her community in a special way.
Viva is survived by her loving husband, Dudley Cox of Shelbyville; her
brother, Virgil Franklin of Huxley; her daughter, Patty Cox of Kilgore; her
daughter, Melinda Mannino, and husband Bob of Lumberton; and her
daughter, Brenda Reinhardt, and husband Randy of Mauriceville. She also
leaves behind her nine grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren, all of
whom brought her immense joy.
She is preceded in death by her father, Clinton Franklin; her mother, Sarah
Franklin; her sister, Patricia Yaw; her son, Bruce Rodriguez; her daughter,
Carole Buell; and her son-in-law, Mark Cox.
Pallbearers will be Brad Rodriguez, Cris Miller, Jason Cox, Michael Buell,
Bryce Miller, and Landon Miller. Honorary pallbearers include Virgil
Franklin, Randy Franklin, Robert Franklin, Bob Mannino, Randy Reinhardt,
Jeff Buell, Caleb Smith, Brad Morgan, Doyle Miller, and Robert Risinger.
To send condolences or to sign an online register, please visit www.mangumfh.net .
Mangum Funeral Home, Center, is in charge of arrangements.