Toni Cox

Memorial Services for Toni Cox, 72, of Jefferson, Texas will be held on Saturday, September 27, 2025, at 2:00pm in the Cpt. Wm. Perry Chapel of Haggard Funeral Home with Janita Chitwood officiating and under the direction of Haggard Funeral Home.

Mrs. Cox was born on August 22, 1953, in Birmingham, Alabama to Oliver (Sleepy) Earl Hernandez and Sara Kathryn Crowe Hernandez and passed away on Wednesday, September 10, 2025, in Longview, Texas.

She is preceded in death by her parents; uncles, Joe Tom Crowe, Kenneth Crowe, and Ralph Hernandez; aunt, Debby Hernandez; cousin, Michael Hernandez.

Toni served as one of the youngest justices of the peace in Texas demonstrating her commitment to fair and compassionate civic service. During her career, she worked as a jailer for the Marion County Sheriff's Office, where she managed inmate supervision and contributed to improving jail operations. Toni also held positions with the Jefferson Jimplecute newspaper, worked alongside attorney Bill Gleason, owned Ace Bail Bonds, and served as Jefferson City Judge for 10 years. In each of these roles, she played an active part in supporting the local legal system and promoting community safety. Toni’s love for dogs established early interest and even helped find loving homes for them.

Her dedication extended beyond her professional life into voluntary and civic organizations. She contributed to the Chamber of Commerce and represented Jefferson in the East Texas Council of Governments based in Atlanta, Texas, advocating for local development and regional cooperation. In 1997, Toni was named Citizen of the Year in Jefferson, Texas, receiving the honor for her dedicated service to local youth programs and civic initiatives that strengthened the fabric of the community. She was also an active member of the Jessie Allen Wise Garden Club and participated in the Children’s Services Board, continually working to enhance the quality of life for Jefferson’s residents.

Those left to cherish her memory are her beloved husband of 53 years, Ronald Charles Cox; daughter, Heather Beene and husband Donald and step granddaughter, Caitlyn Beene; son, Jonathan Cox and wife Jennifer and granddaughter, Kennedy; Cousins, Gail Hernandez, Ruth Anne Phillips and husband James with their children, Lacy Green, Ava Phillips, and Annabella Phillips, Samuel Crowe and wife Janna with their child, Bethany Crowe, Matthew Crowe and wife Tracy and their children, Jacy Crowe and Emily Crowe.

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