Tazewell Republican. [volume] (Tazewell, Va.) 1892-1919, 1900-11-29
NINETY SIXTH
BIRTHDAY TODAY.
Mrs. Cox, Of WytheYille, Receiving
Congratulations.
LOVED BY THE WHOLE TOWN.
An Earnest Presbyterian Worker And
Yet Bright, Active and Hearty
Made Her Own Burial Robes.


Yet Bright, Active and Hearty
Made Her Own Burial Robes.
WytheviIIe, Va, Nov. 22.-Mrs. Aman.
da Cox, of this place, is today celebrating
her ninet.sixth birthday and is receiv-
ing the congratulations of the whole city.
Mrs. Cox is in the best health and spirits
and bids fair to see several years of the
new century.
"Grandma Cox" as the lovable, gentle
old lady is afiectionately called, is native
of this county, having first seen the light
of day in Diapers Valley on November
%, 1904. Her entire life of nearly CEN
fury has been spent in this county and In
Tazewell, and she is known and loved by
large circle of friends. She was Miss
Graham prior to her marriage and is re-
lated extensively throughout Southwest
Virginia to the leading families.
~ L
Many years were spent by "Grandma
Cox" at Jacksonville (now TazewelD,
she being widely known for her religious
zeal. She was of Scotch descent, and as a
matter of fact was a Presbyterian. She
was one of the leading spirits in building a
Oh in,
house for public worship in the place
and it vas used by all denominations.
Mrs. Cox loaned the church the Bible
in all services, and still has it in her pos
session, having owned it for more than
seventy years. When the church was des-
troyed by fire, Mrs. Cox had the services
held in her home until the editice could be
rebuilt. To the church people the old
lady is known as "Bisnop Cox, of the
Presbyterian church"
WONDERFULLY PRESERVED
"Grandma Cox" is remarkably well
preserved. She attends church twice
every week, and does all OF her house
work. She lives alone in an unpretentious
but comfortable cottage. She has mod
est income-sufficient to supply her needs.
She is always busy, doing every particle of
her own work. Mrs. Cox does not worry,
being of happy, bright disposition. Her
faculties are unimpaired.
Her home is the Mecca for the people of
the town, and by the young ladies of the
town she is reverently regarded. Scarcely
an afternoon passes that she does not have
party of callers 10 her little room, all
eagerly listening to her "reminiscences of
when she was a girl, when the dying CEN
fury was young, of the gayeties OF that
period and contrasting the past with things
that exist today. "Grandma Cox" is
tenderly regarded by the ladies here, and
a score of them are always ready if any
thing is needed to make her comfortable.
MADE HER BURIAL CLOTHES.
"Grandma Cox" several years ago made
a complete outfit for use when she shall
be called to her reward These are care
fully Numbered and packed away IN
small trunk, and about once year she
goes over and inspects them, and when a
piece begins to turn yellow she takes it out
and with her own hands it is freshly laun-
dered.
She is proud of having saved the life of
DR.. George Ben Johnston, of Richmond,
many years go. When Dr. Johnston was
a baby his parents were neighbors Of Mrs.
Cox, and late one night in the winter the
present famous surgeon was the victim of
some infante malady. The household
was alarmed and Mrs. Cox was sent for.
With all the tenderness of her nature she
set to work to relieve the sufferer and soon
had an onion poultice enveloping him.
He began to improve Immediately, and
when morning dawned the danger was
passed. DR.. William Floyd, distinguish
ed physician and an uncle of DIR. John
ston, arrived little later, and he inquired
what had been done. On being informed,
he replied that he could not have improv'
ed on the treatment, and concluded by
saying that "Mrs. Cox saved the boys
life." DIR. Johnston always calls to see
Mrs. Cox when he comes to Wytheville,
and he has no warmer friend or admirer
than she is-a feeling which he obviously
reciprocates.
PRECIOUS ANCIENT RELICS.