Mary Ruth Coss

Mary Ruth Coss, age 92, passed away on Friday, May 4, 2024.  She was born in the old “home place” in Halifax County, NC on February 14, 1932.  She was the daughter of the late Albert Gee Willcox, Sr. and Pauline Bethea Willcox.  She was preceded in death by her sisters Ann Willcox Rawls, and Mason Willcox Kruger, and her brothers, Albert Gee “A. G.” Willcox, Jr. and William Graham Willcox.  Mary Ruth is survived by her husband Jack, her children, Stanley Craven Coss, Paula Ruth Coss Kolarov, Jackie Lynn Coss Tiller, eight grandchildren, nine great grandchildren, her brother, Justin Nelson “JN” Willcox,  and many nieces and nephews.

Mary Ruth and Jack were married on June 12, 1954 right after she graduated from Meredith College, Raleigh, NC and Jack was serving in the Air Force in California.  That began a happy marriage that lasted just six weeks less than seventy years.  Their whole lives were centered around loving and serving their Savior, Jesus Christ, all that time living from the east to the west in North Carolina.  While Jack’s work changed several times, Mary Ruth, after taking extra courses to qualify as an early childhood teacher, taught in North Carolina schools for 18 years until 1993.  We moved to Hendersonville in 2002 where our son, his wife and growing family were living.

Mary Ruth had many talents and loved doing many things.  She loved teaching, both Sunday School and public Schools.  She was a seamstress, sang in choir, helped with church youth programs, would sight read piano music and play in Sunday School class when called on, loved gardening, was a great cook and host, and had many friends.  Her greatest joy came in her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.  She loved on them and taught them from her treasure of talents and her love of the Lord.

Her Memorial will be held at First Baptist Church in Hendersonville, NC on Sunday, June 9.  Visitation is 2 to 3 and the Memorial is 3 PM.

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