Barbara Cox McDonnell
Barbara Cox McDonnell, age 68, died on Thursday, April 20, 2017 while surrounded by loving friends and family. She was called to her eternal home after a long battle with chronic illness.
Funeral services will be held on Saturday, April 22, 2017 at 2:00 pm at Hazlehurst United Methodist Church located at 127 North Caldwell Drive, Hazlehurst, MS. Burial will follow at Hazlehurst Cemetery in Hazlehurst. The family will greet friends from 4:00 to 6:00 pm on Friday, April 21 at Stringer Family Funeral Home in Hazlehurst, and again at church on Saturday from 1:00 pm until the time of service.
From her birth in Clarksdale, MS on October 2, 1948 to her death on Thursday she nourished people around her with love, faith, and dedication, especially her family.
She was born in Clarksdale, MS to Harmon and Johnnie Cox and was the oldest of three children. She graduated from Clarksdale High School in 1966 and matriculated to the University of Mississippi, where she met her eventual husband, Dr. Fred J. McDonnell and graduated in 1970. At Ole Miss, Barbara was crowned Miss Ole Miss in 1969 and inducted into the Ole Miss Student Hall of Fame in 1970. Barbara and Fred married on August 2, 1970 in Clarksdale. Following Fred’s completion of medical school and residency, the young couple settled in Hazlehurst, MS, where they have lived since 1977. Barbara and Fred raised their three children in Hazlehurst and enjoyed a life filled with friends and family.
She is survived by her beloved husband of 46 years, Fred; three children, Alison McDonnell Alger (Corey) of Oxford, MS, Ashley McDonnell Lane (Matt) of Nashville, TN, and Preston Bell McDonnell (Candi) of Crystal Springs, MS; 10 adoring grandchildren; brother, Raymond Cox (Carrie) of Oxford, MS; step-mother, Majorie Cox of Wesson, MS and many nieces and nephews. Barbara was preceded in death by her parents, and brother Harmon (“Bubba”) Cox, Jr.
Barbara will be remembered for her warm disposition, her faith in Jesus Christ, her love of all things Ole Miss, but mostly for her unwavering devotion to family.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in Barbara’s name to the Hazlehurst United Methodist Church Building Fund or to the Copiah Academy Endowment.
