Viva Mae (Franklin) Cox

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.