08/24/2026
Melba Elizabeth Acuff Cox
Melba Elizabeth Acuff Cox went to be with the Lord on August 21, 2026, at the age of 89, leaving behind a life defined by faith, family, education, and devoted service to others. Visitation will be Tuesday, August 25, 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM at the Brownsville Baptist Church with graveside following at 12:00 PM at the Oakwood Cemetery in Brownsville, TN.
Born November 29, 1936, Melba was the middle daughter of Harvey Melbourne “Melvin” Acuff and Lucile Alzada Adams Acuff. She grew up in Stanton, TN and later attended Haywood High School, where she met the love of her life, William Walter “Billy” Cox, Jr. She continued her education at the University of Tennessee at Martin. As a freshman, she was chosen as Miss UT Martin and, that same year, was named first runner-up to Miss Tennessee.
On Sunday, September 4, 1955, during the fall of her sophomore year, Melba married her high school sweetheart. Their first year as husband and wife was spent together as college students in Martin. The following year took them to Nashville, where Melba worked for National Life and Accident Insurance Company while Billy completed his senior year at Vanderbilt University’s Peabody College. After returning home to West Tennessee, Melba completed her Bachelor of Science in Education at Lambuth College.
In 1969, Melba began what would become a more than 25-year career teaching third grade at Haywood Elementary School. Teaching was far more than a profession to her. She gave herself wholeheartedly to the children entrusted to her classroom and remembered them fondly long after they had grown and moved on. During her career, she worked under three superintendents, the last of whom was her husband. Together, Melba and Billy gave 61 years of service to the children and families of Haywood County.
Her faith was the foundation of her life. Melba grew up at Stanton Methodist Church and was baptized on April 21, 1946. After marrying Noonie, she joined Brownsville Baptist Church, where the Cox family had worshiped and served since the early 1800s. Through the years, Melba faithfully served the church she loved, including as a Sunday School teacher and Vacation Bible School teacher.
Her service extended throughout her community. She was a Cub Scout den mother, a member of the Tuesday Bridge Club, and vice president of the Seventh Review Club. Beginning in the early 1970s, she was also a devoted member of the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution, serving in nearly every capacity, including as Regent of the David Craig Chapter, DAR.
Of all the titles Melba held throughout her long life, however, none meant more to her than wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother.
She was preceded in death by her beloved husband and high school sweetheart, William Walter “Billy” Cox, Jr., “Noonie,” whom she loved so deeply. Melba wanted to be remembered as a woman who considered herself richly blessed to have been her husband’s helpmate and the mother of their two precious sons. Her husband and sons were the center of a life for which she was profoundly grateful.
She was also preceded in death by her parents, Harvey Melbourne “Melvin” Acuff and Lucile Alzada Adams Acuff; her older sister, Dorothy Marie Acuff Gardner; her younger sister, Joy Adair Acuff Trainer; and her daughter-in-law, Teresia Cox.
Melba is survived by her two sons, who were always the joy and pride of their parents: William Walter Cox III of Gainesville, GA, and Melvin Acuff Cox (Roniann) of Brownsville, TN.
She also leaves behind six grandchildren whom they dearly loved: William Walter Cox IV (Rebekah) of Gainesville, GA; Katherine Elizabeth Cox Lawrence (Sam) of Bells, TN; Miller Downing Cox of Brownsville, TN; Rebekah Ann Cox Vale; Abigail Austin Cox Fincher (John Austin) of Frog Jump, TN; and Jennie Downing Cox Konan (Steve) of Savannah, GA.
Her family continued to grow with the blessing of eight great-grandsons: Samuel Brooks Lawrence, William Binford Lawrence, Hunt Miller Lawrence, Myles Walter Cox, John Everett Fincher, Jack Sutton Fincher, Mac Whitfield Fincher, and Ellis Konan.
Her family will remember their Honey for the stories she told, the children she taught, the faith she lived, and, most of all, the family she loved so completely.
Pallbearers for the service are Brooks Lawrence, Ford Lawrence, Hunt Lawrence, Sam Lawrence, John Austin Fincher, Allen Watts, Mark Harwell and Mark Davis. Serving as honorary pallbearer is Walt Cox.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to The Gideons International, Crockett-Brownsville Camp, P.O. Box 235, Alamo, TN 38001-0235. All arrangements and services are under the direction of the Lea & Simmons Funeral Home.
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