Susan Marie Cox
February 28, 1967 — July 9, 2024
Susan Marie Cox
(1967-2024)
Susan, simply put, was kindness personified. She would never draw attention to herself, yet countless people were drawn to her because of her smile, gentility, and genuine care for others. She could unlock the most armored soul quickly with her gift of kindness.
There was no mystery to her gift, it was an open secret. She loved Jesus and He shined right through her.
Suzie was raised in Bell, California, and moved to Downey as a teen. She grew up in church at the First Christian Church of Bell and later Southland Christian Church in Bell Gardens with her parents: Pastor Joe and Shirley Mize.
She once said, “I’ve never not known Jesus.” She married the love of her life, Jeff Cox, one week after she graduated from Brethren High School in Paramount. They were married for 39 years until the Lord called her home one week after their last anniversary dinner together.
Suzie served in ministry, alongside of her pastor husband, for as many years. She began in youth ministry in Bell Gardens where several gang members were awakened to Christ. She was a soft and necessary to presence to those young people and they found the care and guidance they needed in the ways of the Lord. She served in Youth Ministry for eighteen years, loving teens from every background and ably assisting in quiet ways behind the scenes where the real work lies. In 2005, she transitioned with her husband from Youth Ministry to Senior Ministry at Southland now returned to the former property of the Bell Church she grew up in. She was a trusted voice, seasoned with grace, for the women in the community where she remains greatly loved and respected.
Suzie also served as Church secretary with Southland from 1985 to the time of her diagnosis of stage four Renal Cell Cancer in November of 2023.
Suzie’s gifting with children served her well working as a Senior Instructional Assistant for the Downey School District beginning in 1998: First at Maude Price Elementary and then at Carpenter Elementary until 2018. Her calm and caring spirit made her a “Child Whisperer” for even the most challenging in Special Ed. One co-worker said, “She was so kind, loving, honest, caring and she had the best smile I’ve ever seen. We were blessed to have her work with us for so many years and to give that love and kindness to all the children whose lives she made a difference in.”
Suzie was an excellent mother and intercessor for each of her three children: Crista, Katie, and Casey. Her wisdom, selflessness, and velvet-wrapped strength, both modeled and mentored them into the fruitful souls they are today. In hard times, she prayed for them. They all came through, in no small part, because of her prayers, tears, and usefulness to Jesus.
In the throes of her illness, a nurse asked her, “How have all of your children turned out so beautifully?” She smiled quietly and said, “It was the Lord.”
Her greatest affection remained for her six grandchildren: Chloe, Jack, Sadie, Mercy, June, and Alethia. Her soul lit up when they were on her lap or at hand. She always had a gift, a surprise and a drawer full of snacks at the ready. They shouted “Memaw!” whenever she came into view. Her greatest sorrow in passing is not being able to share in their lives going forward. But one of her smallest grandchildren reminded the family that there are two little grandchildren that never made it into the world awaiting her in Heaven. What a surprise awaited her on the day she crossed over.
Suzie is a great loss to many, especially her loving family. But we know she has a great inheritance and a greater joy in the presence of the Lord.
“Lord, you alone are my portion and my cup; you make my lot secure. The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; surely I have a delightful inheritance.” Psalm 16:6
If you would prefer to make a donation in lieu of flowers, you can donate to Susan's home church Southland Christian Church
Condolences for the family can be sent through our website.
A private interment will be held at Rose Hills Memorial Park.
(1967-2024)
Susan, simply put, was kindness personified. She would never draw attention to herself, yet countless people were drawn to her because of her smile, gentility, and genuine care for others. She could unlock the most armored soul quickly with her gift of kindness.
There was no mystery to her gift, it was an open secret. She loved Jesus and He shined right through her.
Suzie was raised in Bell, California, and moved to Downey as a teen. She grew up in church at the First Christian Church of Bell and later Southland Christian Church in Bell Gardens with her parents: Pastor Joe and Shirley Mize.
She once said, “I’ve never not known Jesus.” She married the love of her life, Jeff Cox, one week after she graduated from Brethren High School in Paramount. They were married for 39 years until the Lord called her home one week after their last anniversary dinner together.
Suzie served in ministry, alongside of her pastor husband, for as many years. She began in youth ministry in Bell Gardens where several gang members were awakened to Christ. She was a soft and necessary to presence to those young people and they found the care and guidance they needed in the ways of the Lord. She served in Youth Ministry for eighteen years, loving teens from every background and ably assisting in quiet ways behind the scenes where the real work lies. In 2005, she transitioned with her husband from Youth Ministry to Senior Ministry at Southland now returned to the former property of the Bell Church she grew up in. She was a trusted voice, seasoned with grace, for the women in the community where she remains greatly loved and respected.
Suzie also served as Church secretary with Southland from 1985 to the time of her diagnosis of stage four Renal Cell Cancer in November of 2023.
Suzie’s gifting with children served her well working as a Senior Instructional Assistant for the Downey School District beginning in 1998: First at Maude Price Elementary and then at Carpenter Elementary until 2018. Her calm and caring spirit made her a “Child Whisperer” for even the most challenging in Special Ed. One co-worker said, “She was so kind, loving, honest, caring and she had the best smile I’ve ever seen. We were blessed to have her work with us for so many years and to give that love and kindness to all the children whose lives she made a difference in.”
Suzie was an excellent mother and intercessor for each of her three children: Crista, Katie, and Casey. Her wisdom, selflessness, and velvet-wrapped strength, both modeled and mentored them into the fruitful souls they are today. In hard times, she prayed for them. They all came through, in no small part, because of her prayers, tears, and usefulness to Jesus.
In the throes of her illness, a nurse asked her, “How have all of your children turned out so beautifully?” She smiled quietly and said, “It was the Lord.”
Her greatest affection remained for her six grandchildren: Chloe, Jack, Sadie, Mercy, June, and Alethia. Her soul lit up when they were on her lap or at hand. She always had a gift, a surprise and a drawer full of snacks at the ready. They shouted “Memaw!” whenever she came into view. Her greatest sorrow in passing is not being able to share in their lives going forward. But one of her smallest grandchildren reminded the family that there are two little grandchildren that never made it into the world awaiting her in Heaven. What a surprise awaited her on the day she crossed over.
Suzie is a great loss to many, especially her loving family. But we know she has a great inheritance and a greater joy in the presence of the Lord.
“Lord, you alone are my portion and my cup; you make my lot secure. The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; surely I have a delightful inheritance.” Psalm 16:6
If you would prefer to make a donation in lieu of flowers, you can donate to Susan's home church Southland Christian Church
Condolences for the family can be sent through our website.
A private interment will be held at Rose Hills Memorial Park.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Susan Marie Cox, please visit our flower store.