Mary Lee Antoine-Cox, age 83, of Houston, Texas, passed away peacefully on December 29, 2025, in Lake Charles, Louisiana.

Mary Lee was born on November 25, 1942, to Loicy and Matthew Antoine in Washington, Louisiana. She attended Washington High School and was a proud member of the Class of 1960. From her first union, she was blessed with a daughter, Phyllis Beriot, who remained the joy of her life.

With a spirit of adventure and independence, Mary Lee left her roots in Lake Charles and moved to California in 1966. She settled in Oakland, California, where she began a long and successful career in Environmental Services at Peralta Hospital. Through hard work, determination, and natural leadership, she rose through the ranks into hospital management. Mary Lee was known for her strong, no-nonsense attitude and commanded respect while setting high standards for herself and others.

In the early 1980s, Mary Lee married Carl D. Cox and, through their union, lovingly embraced his children, Gloria and Carla, as her own. Family was important to Mary Lee, and she valued the relationships she built and nurtured throughout her life. She dedicated over 30 years to her career and was eventually promoted to Director of Environmental Services at Eden Hospital. After many years of service, she relocated to Sun City, California, where she later retired.

Creativity and generosity filled Mary Lee's life. She loved baking and was famous among family and friends for her German chocolate cake and zucchini bread. She also enjoyed doll making, hat making, sewing, quilting, and crocheting. She lovingly created afghan and baby blankets for nearly everyone she held dear, each stitch reflecting her care and devotion.

Faith and community were central to Mary Lee's life. She was an active member of The Church at Bethel's Family in Houston, Texas, and a proud participant in the Bumble Bee Sewing Club, whose mission was to spread love and joy by sewing gifts for children overseas. She was also a lifetime member of the National Council of Negro Women.

Mary Lee lived life fully and stayed socially active. She enjoyed attending events with the Red Hat Society and Delta Beta Sorority. In her spare time, she loved shopping and had a true talent for finding the best deals and bargains. She was also an avid collector, and her home reflected her curiosity and love of beauty. Every room was filled with interesting and meaningful treasures, including limited edition Barbies, porcelain dolls, and African American heritage pieces that she proudly displayed and cherished. Above all, she loved her family deeply. In the mid 1990s, she relocated to Missouri City, Texas, to be closer to her beloved sister, Joyce.

Mary Lee will be remembered for her strength, generosity, creativity, and unwavering love for her family and community.

She is preceded in death by her parents Loicy and Matthew Antoine, husband Carl D. Cox, brothers; Simon and Earl J. Antoine.

She leaves to mourn her daughter Phyllis Beriot, stepdaughters Gloria and Carla, sister Joyce Marks Sykes, brother Charles Lee (Angelia), and a host of nieces and nephews.

The family would like to offer special acknowledgement to Jermaine Simien for his loving care and devotion during her illness. Your kindness and compassion are deeply appreciated.

The celebration of Mary Lee's life will be held on Saturday, January 3, 2026, at 11am, at the New Shiloh Baptist Church of Lake Charles. Visitation of family and friends will begin at 9am in the church. A private dismissal service will be held for the immediate family.