Katherine Bonney Cox (always called Katch) was born in her grandparents’ house in tiny Shubuta, Mississippi in 1933. She lived a small-town childhood in Laurel, a life full of the now forgotten joys of the old South. With family in Enterprise and Shubuta, summers and many weekends were spent back and forth between these cherished spots. Her world was filled with the simplicity of a life that smelled of warm summers and cut grass, where she and her cousins would play in the yard in crisp cotton dresses. There were skuperdines and wildflowers and the grumblings of her grandfather as he complained about that stoplight contraption they put up on Main St. Her memories were filled with experiences of being properly groomed, cleaned, and dressed (down to the white gloves), and crossing her grandparents’ street to attend a Baptist revival (complete with funeral fans), as her grandmother sat rocking on the front porch, promising she would sing along as the tones of Turn your Eyes upon Jesus, Great is thy Faithfulness or Blessed Assurance wafted across the summer night.

Katch joyfully cherished this world that had been such a deep part of what made her who she was. Yet this same woman seamlessly led her family into the modern 20th century, still embodying that grounded, loving, wise, simple way of life. After Belhaven and Ole Miss, she married her beloved Bill Cox and began their life together. First, she lived the life of a sporty 1950’s jet pilot wife in Texas and Arizona. Then, after Bill’s law school and a move to Jackson, this girl who was forged in the soft glow of small-town Mississippi became, with her usual poise and ease, a “city girl,” engaging her new world as wife; creative, playful mother to three children; and stepping into the joys of being everything from seamstress, to avid reader, to carpool mom.

During those years she began engaging Jackson and its community, embracing her life in the Junior League, the DAR, the Recess Club, and an especially, a rich spiritual walk within the halls of First Presbyterian Church of Jackson. Her loving, nurturing way carried over to her delight in her dear friends and extended family as well. She would often chat with them, the avocado-colored phone to her ear, twisting the curly cord with her finger and laughing, children always nearby. Her nurturing wisdom also had a deeper wealth and fruit as she wove her love for Christ into the hearts of her children, imparting to them the rare gift of young lives that can still say, ”I never knew a day in which I did not know that Jesus wanted me.”

Through the years she loved to travel and take trips with us all. There were wonderful journeys out West, and the regular family beach trip, where the grandchildren would always race up from the shore for one of Katch’s famous lunches. She was always up for adventure as well, suiting up for sailing trips, or as the prime cheerleader for jet-flying exploits - always making it clear to Bill, however, that she was not interested in “roughing it.”

If her children thought they had it good, the grandchildren ushered in a whole new world. She delighted in all the little faces, tending them, making her famous crustless sandwiches and playing games. And as they grew older, remaining a steadfast warm home for their hearts.

After the death of her beloved Bill after 65 years of marriage, her life declined, though she always welcomed the visits of her family during those times, even blowing kisses when she would no longer clearly speak. She lived those years with courage and a warm joy.

On August 9, 2026, she went to be with her Savior, and also her beloved Bill. We take joy in their reunion. And the mental image we all have of her finally being reunited with her son Mark, who preceded her in death by 36 years, pushes the boundaries of our joy.

She is proceeded in death by her parents, Mr. and Mrs. E. Carroll Bonney, her husband William Harold Cox Jr. and her son, Mark Edwin Cox.

She is survived by her son John Lowrey Cox (Norma), her daughter Carol Heidelberg (Maison), her grandchildren, Callie Dixon (Ryan), Katherine Dehmer (Steele), Bonney Ellison (Lee), William Peaster (Anna) and Mark Peaster. Her great grandchildren Whit Dehmer, Shaw Dehmer, Dottie Dixon, Mae Dixon, Mark Ellison, Parker Ellison, Maggie Ellison and Mary Katherine Peaster.

She is also survived by her beloved first cousin Pat (Knox) Hudson from Augusta, GA.

A special thank you to Nikki Lewis and the rest of her patient, loving sitter team, Tina, Destini, Jamia, and Willie Jean, who cared for her and our family so well.

Visitation will be held in the courtyard of First Presbyterian Church, 1390 North State St, Jackson, Mississippi, with a memorial service at 11:30.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to First Presbyterian Church, Jackson.