Lillian Morgan "Lil" Cox

Lillian Morgan 'Lil' Cox, a lifelong and proud Oklahoman, passed peacefully into the arms of her Savior December 23 in Oklahoma City at age 84. Lillian was born in Oklahoma City September 27, 1936 to Walter M. 'Bill' and Laura Focht Morgan. She grew up in Putnam Heights where she attended Putnam Heights Elementary, Harding Junior High and Classen High School from which she graduated in 1954. Lillian attended The University of Oklahoma, graduating in 1958 with a bachelor's degree in journalism. She was a proud 66-year member of Kappa Alpha Theta sorority where she formed many lifelong friendships.Following graduation, Lil married Gary Edward Cox on July 17, 1958; a marriage lasting until Gary's untimely death in 1985. Following the birth of her two sons, and a stint as a homemaker, Lil began a near 40-year career in education at St. John's Episcopal School, OSU-OKC and Casady School, where she was an award-winning yearbook advisor. She also spent several years as the school's public relations director. She retired in 2006 and spent her retirement enjoying family, traveling, social outings with lifelong and neighborhood friends, and spending time with her companion, Virgil "Coach" Grantham. Lil especially enjoyed time spent at the family's lakeside retreat at Beaver Lake, Arkansas. She enjoyed summers in the New Mexico and Colorado mountains, and embarked on numerous cruises and journeys around the world. During the 70s and 80s, one of her favorite pastimes was the annual family vacation to Red River, NM where Lil was never shy about casting a line in her favorite pond or stream. In fact, Lil enjoyed fishing to the point that whenever the opportunity presented, she would openly ask, 'do you think I can catch a fish?' Lil also enjoyed bridge and card games, jigsaw puzzles, cooking, dogs, church and attending OU football games, including as a Sooner senior the infamous 1957 victory by Notre Dame that broke the Sooners 47-game winning streak. She also attended dozens of OU-Texas, road and bowl games.Lillian was preceded in death by her husband, Gary Cox; parents, Walter 'Bill' and Laura Morgan; brother, William M. 'Billy' Morgan; and aunt, Helen Focht Reeburgh. She is survived by sons, Edward Morgan Cox and wife Lynn of Ballwin, MO, and John David Cox and wife Martha of Oklahoma City; and granddaughters, Katherine Lynn Stanton and husband Cameron of Chicago and Madeline Nicole Cox and fiancé Trevor Cannon of Brick, NJ. She is also survived by her precious newborn great grandson, Morgan James Stanton. Lillian is further survived by her sister, Elizabeth Morgan Reece and husband Forest; niece, Laura Reece Keep (Matt); nephew, Forest William Reece III (Christy); and great nieces Layne and Quinn Keep and Paige and Halle Reece. She is also survived by special first cousins, Bill Reeburgh, Margaret Reeburgh Williams (Bob) and Laura Reeburgh Keller (Tom); and numerous extended cousins. Last, but not least, is Virgil "Coach" Grantham, Lil's longtime special friend and companion, whom with his three children, Tracy Carrion (Chris), Cindy Brorsen (Les) and Tim Grantham (Jennifer) formed an extended family that will be cherished forever.A public viewing will be held Monday, December 28 from 10am-6pm followed by a celebration of life Tuesday, December 29 at 10am, both at Smith Kernke Funeral Directors, 14624 North May Avenue Oklahoma City. The service will be streamed online and can be viewed by visiting Lillian's obituary page at www.smithandkernke.com, scrolling to the end of the obituary text, and clicking the "View Funeral Service" button. Attendees are respectfully requested to observe the facility's social distancing and face covering requirements. In lieu of flowers, the family requests honorariums to the Alzheimer's Association, Casady School or a charity of choice.