November 23, 1940 – January 20, 2021

Billie Faye Manning Cox was born November 23, 1940 in Houston, Texas.  She was the first child of Vera and James Manning.

Billie was a proud graduate of historic Jack Yates High School where she was a leader of the JW Ryan Kadettes.  After high school, she earned a business degree from Texas Southern University.  Having exhibited reliability as a student and a high work ethic, she quickly acquired employment at the university, moving into higher levels of responsibility in the Business Department, eventually retiring as Comptroller.

From childhood to adulthood, Billie was an active member of Trinity East United Methodist Church.  There, she served faithfully and continuously in numerous youth development roles including Sunday School teacher and superintendent, and Vacation Bible School Coordinator.  She also served as lay leadership roles on the Finance Committee and was a faithful member of The Gleaners.

At Trinity East she met and married her devoted companion and husband, Rev. Dr. Joseph F. Cox.  Known by all as an inseparable team, Billie and Joseph were committed community advocates, avid patrons of the arts, and ever-ready-to-go travelers.  During their joint retirement years, their days were often planned around watching their favorite television show: “The Young and the Restless”.  In 2015, Joseph preceded Billie in death.

In addition to her service to Christ, Billie was a member of the Alpha Kappa Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.  Her best loved hobbies were crocheting, needle point, bird watching, playing her Hammond organ and cooking.

During her final years, life changed but never waned.  She was a member of First United Methodist- Houston, where she enjoyed being part of the One in the Lord Sunday School Class.  Among other ventures, Billie enjoyed visiting family, creating dance moves with her granddaughter, and living at the Watercrest at Shadow Creek Ranch Active Retirement Community where she frequently participated in a variety of activities and events.

Billie is survived by her only sister and best-friend-forever Sandra Miller, six adult stepchildren and grandchildren, numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and an uncountable number of dear friends.