WACO Texas — Marie C. Cox, 96, of Waco, passed away on Thursday, August 11, 2016. A memorial service will be held at the American Legion Post 121 in Elm Mott, Texas from 6-8 PM on Thursday, August 25, 2016. A rosary will be recited at 5:30 PM on Friday, August 26, 2016 at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Bellmead, Texas with a mass to follow. Burial will be in Rosemound Cemetery in Waco, Texas at a later date.

Marie was born March 9, 1920, in Brunswick, Maine, to Lucia Paradis and Joseph E. Coulombe, the eldest child of 10. She was baptized and confirmed in St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Brunswick, Maine. She attended and graduated from St. John’s Catholic School and Brunswick High School in Brunswick, Maine in 1938. She worked in the spinning room in the Verney Manufacturing Company from 1939-1942. Upon joining the Army in January, 1944, she took basic training and clerk school at Fort Des Moines, Iowa, and went to Fort Benning , Georgia, in May, 1944, where she worked in the typing pool. Later she was reassigned to the WAC detachment as a company clerk. Although company clerks are normally Corporals, Marie was promoted to Sergeant where she was the only Sergeant company clerk from Texas to Florida. She was transferred to Fort Bragg, N.C., where she served as secretary to an inspection team until September, 1946, when she was honorably discharged. She worked in the Jay Brush Company until December 20, 1949. Marie left Brunswick, Maine on December 27, 1949, and married Marvin E. Cox on December 31, 1949, in Waco, Texas.

In August, 1951, Marie went to work at James Connally Air Force Base as a Reporting Stenographer (Court Reporter) until August, 1964. She then transferred to 12th Air Force on 25th Street until August, 1968. Next, she and Marvin operated the Brazos Worm Farm until his death on February 4, 1976, however, Marie continued to operate it until 1987. In August, 1979, she went to work for the Texas State Technical Institute Headquarters. She was later reassigned to Admissions and Records in 1981, and she remained there until she retired in August, 1995.

As a member of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church since July 14, 1974, she was active as a CCD teacher, Altar Linens, Eucharistic Minister and RCIA. She was active in Catholic Daughters of America and Ladies of Charity. She taught classes for first communion students older than 1st grade communion age.

Marie was active in the American

Legion since 1978, where she participated with Boy’s State and ROTC. She served as adjutant for the division, district, and post and was the historian up until her death. As a member of the American Legion Auxiliary since 1982, she served as Treasurer for four years. Marie was always proud of the American Legion Affiliation because it was military.

Marie joined the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) in September, 1963. She represented AFGE at four national conventions. She joined the National Active and Retired Federal Employees (NARFE) in 1974, and attended two national conventions. Marie was an active member of Central Tesas Labor Council and was appointed Secretary Emeritus. She also served as secretary of the Texas Democratic Women. On April 16, 2016, Marie was awarded the Samuel Gompers Humanitarian Award by the Central Texas Labor Council AFLCIO.

Marie was predeceased by her husband, parents, four brothers, Gerard, William, and Adolph from Brunswick and George from Chicago, and three sisters, Rita Stegall, from Vicksburg, Mississippi, Simone Berry, and Monique Burgis.

Marie is survived by one brother, Joe Coulombe, one sister, Louise Berry: and Mary, Linda, Dillon, and Marisa; two step daughters, Sue Jory and Jane Robertson; and two godchildren. Also surviving are the good and dear friends, who know who they are. Surviving also are nieces and nephews in Maine, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, Illinois, Mississippi, and San Antonio.

Contributions may be made to the Building Fund at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Bellmead.

Thoughts and memories can be shared online at www.LakeShoreFH.com.