Mary Alice Cox-Baker

Mary was born on February 27, 1922 in Groesbeck, Texas to parents Melvin L. and Rufie Ann (Barker) Cox. The tribute below, written by her son, is titled, "The Texas Rose":

My mother was a Texas rose. You saw beauty and even softness in her form.  You saw grace and elegance in her movement.  You could sense a pleasant, but subtle fragrance in her personality. Like the rose which survives the wet and dry, and the hot and cold of life, you could feel strength in the stem of her being, which survived even times of difficulty.  Sometimes as with the thorn of a rose, you could even experience the sharp prick of her opinions and determination.

She was essentially Texan.  She was born on an oil tank farm which her father managed.  The place was near the historic Parker settlement where Cynthia Ann Parker was reared whose life with the Comanche became a Texas legend. The weather the day mother was born was typically and unpredictable Texan. She was born at home during a sudden late February ice storm.

As a younger woman she volunteered as an officer in the Junior Women’s Club of Fort Worth, and kept in touch with a number of those women as the years passed.  When she worked in offices the younger women would approach her for advice and support.  I know this as they told me so.

She raised two sons and had substantial interaction with her step daughter and her many nieces, nephews, grandchildren and great grandchildren.  Her extended family of many cousins was dear to her.  She continued to meet frequently with those of her father’s family.

Her talents were not only domestic, but also musical, social, administrative and highly organized. She spent many years working as an administrative assistant with Industrial Property Corporation.  The owner was Mr. John Stemmons, a larger than life Texas personality, after whom the freeway is named. She was made a shareholder and member of the company.  She spent many hours to help design and produce a pictorial history of that company for one of their major anniversaries.

Mother was very dedicated to her husband, Dr. James Keith Baker, who served our local community primarily in the development of Southern Methodist University during a career of several decades.  When he was afflicted with Parkinson Disease she was at his side most every day, all day, until he passed from us.

She was a baptized person of Christian faith with an innate sense of the providence of God.

The untimely death of her father, her elder son and other relatives was a difficult thing for her to bear. However, if she happened along a little baby, or small animal, her demeanor became joyful.  She could also be a supportive listener with a good sense of humor, and great deal of common sense.  She was in every season of her life a Texas rose, both beautiful and strong.

Mary passed from this life to her Heavenly home on August 2, 2020, at the age of 98 and was predeceased by her father Melvin Cox  and mother Rufie Barker Cox, her late husband Dr. James Keith Baker, her son Bob Bradley, her brother Hal Cox and her sister Charleta Cox Adair.

She is survived by her son the Rev. Bruce Bradley of Plano, Texas and her stepdaughter Ann Baker Barber of Parker, Texas, many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nephews, nieces, and a host of cousins and extended family.

Due to Covid-19 limitations, a memorial service to celebrate Mary's life will be announced at a future date.

If desired, memorial gifts may be made to the organization of your choice.