Dale County AlArchives Photo Person.....Cox, Rena December 23 1954 ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/al/alfiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Christine Thacker CGT714@AOL.com February 2, 2005, 3:48 pm Source: Southern Star Photo can be seen at: http://www.usgwarchives.net/al/dale/photos/gph1343cox.jpg Image file size: 208.6 Kb 50 Years Ago, , Dec. 23, 1954... (Southern Star reprint Dec.22, 2004) Methodist Church Honors'Miss Rena' 50 Years Service "This is the first time in my life I ever really felt proud of myself!" Those were the words diminutive Mrs. Rena Edwards COX, on Thursday evening when she" was honored by her many friends in, the Ozark Methodist Church with a surprise party. "Miss Rena", as sHe is called by eVerybody, had a birthday Thursday. Also, she was urged to attend a church "social" at 7 o'clock. And, as usual, she was intent on doing her part and more in churh activities. But when Miss Rena got there, to her great surprise she discovered that the "social" was a birthday party all for her-with tables loaded with bright packages. Many less hardy souls would have pulled out a wisp of a handkerchief and begun to sob-but not Miss Rena. She looked surprised, yes. She even looked somewhat hesitant when the preacher asked her to come up and sit in the seat of honor in front of everybody. She hung back for a minute. But, stalwart soul that she is, she marched up and sat down calmly. It took a lot of something or other to listen to all those people talk about you like Miss Rena did. For they told everything they knew about her even how many beaus" she had when she was a girl! But all the things they told were good things; There wasn't anything else to tell. Miss Rena has worked faithfully in the Sunday School department of the Methodist Church for almost fifty -years. Beginning her work with the boys and girls of the church in 1905, Miss Rena has unquestionably helped mold the Christian characters of more young people than any other person in the church. Also she has served as communion steward for the past 30 years. She has the uniq__ distinction of being the church's only woman steward. Two ministers Thursday evening praised her highly for the very efficient job she does on the first Sunday of each month in preparing the elements for communion. All MIss Rena's work has been done with love, devotion to duty, and with pride. She is a small person, quiet, easy-going, pursuing from day to day the even tenor of her way with an inner calm which is soothing to all those with whom she comes in contact. A widow now for many years, Miss Rena was married to the late Cliff Cox, a former postmaster. Upon her husband's death she finished out his appointment and did a good job as Ozarks only woman postmistress. She has one son, Hezz. who works in the Talladega school for the Deaf. Part of her surprise Thursday evening was an impromptu visit from him which made her night complete. Miss Rena is a native of Dale County, the daughter of the late Judge and Mrs. C. A. B. Edwards. She lives with and cares for her sister in law, Miss Charlie Willie Cox, who has been for a long time a wheel-chair invalid. Testimony to the great love and admiration which the people of the Methodist Church feel for this faithful worker and neighbor was the large crowd which gathered in the Assembly Room of the Sunday School building. The Rev. Charles Liddell, pastor, conducted the informal party and called upon officials of the church and friends to tell the story of Miss Rena's years of service. Special feature of the program an original poem by Mrs. Alma Sollie eulogizing the life of this good woman. Others taking part included Roy Ward, superintendent of the Sunday School, MISS Allie Garner, Rev. D. P. Slaughter and others. A social hour followed during which Miss Rena's friends watched her delighted expression as she unwrapped the many gifts which the church and the party participants had prepared for her. Add on by CGT. Rena Edwards Cox, b.July 21, 1878 d. Oct. 22, 1978, Union Cem. Clifford Malone Cox, b. Apr. 17, 1871 d.Feb. 3, 1932, Union Cem. File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/al/dale/photos/gph1343cox.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/alfiles/ File size: 4.5 Kb