Judith Rhea Cox

Judy Rhea Cox

Loving Mother and Caregiver in the Community of Christ

Judith Martin Rhea was born in Terrebonne Parish in the marshlands of Houma, Louisiana, in 1943. The second of four children to D.W. and Pollyanna Rhea, she was a smart, alert, curious child. Her parents had grown up in abject poverty, but her father had become a successful businessman, and she grew up in a large house filled with books and the sound of piano music. She went by Judy.

She was an excellent student in high school, excelling at her academic subjects and loving the precision of being a majorette. She spent her summers at Camp Glen Arden with her little sister, Polly.

She attended LSU, where she earned her degree in secondary educati0n with a minor in French. She was a sharp, strong student, a member of the Chi Omega sorority, and the SEC's best female longshot on the intercollegiate riflery team. She was popular; she was named Queen at the Krewe of Houmus Mardi Gras Ball. Boys liked her. One boy, John Fred Gourrier, liked her so much he wrote a song about her, "Judy in Disguise." It became a number one hit. She cut a striking figure in Baton Rouge. Five different men proposed to her. She put them off. She earned a Master's of History, and worked as a high school teacher for years.

In 1968, she married Warren Cox. She had three children: Donald, Ellen, and Keith. The marriage lasted twelve years. Left to raise three children on her own, Judy made a choice; she would work but never to the detriment of her children's needs. She cobbled together a series of careers. She worked as a calligrapher, a substitute teacher, an educator teaching English as a second language, and caring for babies at Peachtree Corners.

She kept her children fed and clothed and cared for and loved. She extended her affections to her nieces and nephews. Every evening, she insisted on family time with whomever was in her house.

In the late seventies, she renewed her Christian faith. It became a cornerstone of her life. It sustained her through the hard times. She studied the Bible and taught it to her children. She was active at First Baptist Church Atlanta. On Sundays, she worked in the nursery, providing loving care for other people's babies so they could rejoice and fellowship with the Lord.

Judy was conservative and politically engaged, a regular caller to her representatives over the years. She was equally passionate about people's health; she was a tireless advocate for fitness and healthy eating.

She wasn't without contradictions. She was a good cook but only made three dishes. She liked movies but never watched them. She enjoyed network TV, including Walker, Texas Ranger and Showtime from the Apollo, but often complained about the crassness of popular culture. She was warm and accepting, but loved correcting her children's grammar. She could be blunt in her assessments.

Her children got married and had their own children: Su Lin, Saena, Warren, Jaydyn, Lachlan, and Mara. Her beloved son-in-law, Sean, always looked out for her.

She remained a fit, active woman. In her 70s, she could do three-minute planks and crack off dozens of pushups without breaking a sweat.

In her early eighties, she was working two jobs and driving, active in her grandchildren's lives. Many of her friends had died or moved away, but she did not complain and never felt sorry for herself. She wrote letters, read the Bible, and prayed. Her life was full.

In January of 2026, she grew ill. She spent the next few months in hospice, receiving visitors daily, friends and family and community members and former students, everyone thanking her for her warmth, wisdom, love, and support. Her final days were filled with love and peace. Everyone who ever knew her wanted to say goodbye. She was unafraid of death or dying. She had lived her life in accordance with her faith and knew she was going to spend eternity with the Lord.

In the early morning on Wednesday, May 27, 2026, Judy passed through the veil of tears to be with her heavenly Father. She is survived by her three children, eight grandchildren (including two step-grandchildren), and numerous nieces and nephews.

The family will have a graveside service at Honey Creek Woodlands, a natural burial site in Conyers, GA. The family welcomes you to visit the burial site whenever you are so led.

Instead of flowers, please give to the charity that most speaks to your heart.