BIOGRAPHY

Lillian Cox was born in Quincy, Florida, USA, on 22 February 1907, to parents Robert Todd (1881–1916) and Jeanie Ola Parramore (1888–1949). She had a sister, Melba Turner. She graduated from Gadsden County High School and went on to attend Florida State College for Women, where she was a member of the Sigma Sigma Sigma sorority.

On 4 November 1925, at the age of 18, she married Thomas Henry Cox. In 1939, they relocated to Tallahassee and became active members of the First Baptist Church, where they participated in the Couples Sunday School Class for many years. The couple had a daughter, Carolyn Partch.

In 1957, she opened a dress shop called Lillian’s on South Adams Street. She provided personalized shopping services for her customers, carefully selecting merchandise they would appreciate from fashion markets. In 1976, just a few months after her husband’s passing, she sold the store. Remaining active in her community, she traveled extensively—including six trips to Europe—well into her 90s. She lived independently in her own home until the age of 101, even caring for her daughter, Carolyn, who had scoliosis and passed away in 2008.

Cox passed away at The Hampton at Meadows Place senior living community in Meadows Place, Texas, on 10 August 2018, at the age of 111 years, 169 days. She was survived by three granddaughters, two great-grandchildren, and a great-great granddaughter.

RECOGNITION

Her age has not been validated.

ATTRIBUTION

* “At 107, Lillian Cox may be the oldest person in Fort Bend County” – Houston Chronicle, 15 May 2014

* “Happy 110th Birthday to Lillian Cox!” – Fox 26 Houston, 1 March 2017

* “Indomitable Lillian Cox dies at 111; a friend remembers the ‘Tallahassee Lassie’” – Tallahassee Democrat, 13 August 2018

* Lillian Todd Cox obituary – Dignity Memorial

GALLERY