Marie Judithe Laurence Coulumbe Cox, 96, of Waco, passed away on Thursday, August 11, 2016.
Memorial Service: 6 to 8PM Thursday, August 25th at Elm Mott American Legion.
Rosary with Mass to follow: 5:30PM Friday, August 26th at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Bellmead.
Burial Rosemound Cemetery in Waco at a later date.
Marie was born March 9, 1920, in Brunswick, Maine, to Lucia Paradis and Joseph E. Coulombe, the eldest child of 10. She was baptized and confirmed in St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Brunswick, Maine. She attended and graduated from St. John’s Catholic School and Brunswick High School in Brunswick, Maine in 1938.She worked in the spinning room in the Verney Manufacturing Company from 1939-1942. Upon joining the Army in January, 1944, she took basic training and clerk school at Fort Des Moines, Iowa, and went to Fort Benning , Georgia, in May, 1944, where she worked in the typing pool. Later she was reassigned to the WAC detachment as a company clerk. Although company clerks are normally Corporals, Marie was promoted to Sergeant where she was the only Sergeant company clerk from Texas to Florida. She was transferred to Fort Bragg, N.C., where she served as secretary to an inspection team until September, 1946, when she was honorably discharged. She worked in the Jay Brush Company until December 20, 1949. Marie left Brunswick, Maine on December 27, 1949, and married Marvin E. Cox on December 31, 1949, in Waco, Texas.
In August, 1951, Marie went to work at James Connally Air Force Base as a Reporting Stenographer (Court Reporter) until August, 1964. She then transferred to 12th Air Force on 25th Street until August, 1968. Next, she and Marvin operated the Brazos Worm Farm until his death on February 4, 1976, however, Marie continued to operate it until 1987. In August, 1979, she went to work for the Texas State Technical Institute Headquarters. She was later reassigned to Admissions and Records in 1981, and she remained there until she retired in August, 1995.
As a member of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church since July 14, 1974, she was active as a CCD teacher, Altar Linens, Eucharistic Minister and RCIA. She was active in Catholic Daughters of America and Ladies of Charity. She taught classes for first communion students older than 1st grade communion age.
Marie was active in the American Legion since 1978, where she participated with Boy’s State and ROTC. She served as adjutant for the division, district, and post and was the historian up until her death. As a member of the American Legion Auxiliary since 1982, she served as Treasurer for four years. Marie was always proud of the American Legion Affiliation because it was military.
Marie joined the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) in September, 1963. She represented AFGE at four national conventions. She joined the National Active and Retired Federal Employees (NARFE) in 1974, and attended two national conventions. Marie was an active member of Central Tesas Labor Council and was appointed Secretary Emeritus. She also served as secretary of the Texas Democratic Women. On April 16, 2016, Marie was awarded the Samuel Gompers Humanitarian Award by the Central Texas Labor Council AFL-CIO.
Marie was predeceased by her husband, parents, four brothers, Gerard, William, and Adolph from Brunswick and George from Chicago, and three sisters, Rita Stegall, from Vicksburg, Mississippi, Simone Berry, and Monique Burgis.
Marie is survived by one brother, Joe Coulombe, one sister, Louise Berry: and Mary, Linda, Dillon, and Marisa; two step daughters, Sue Jory and Jane Robertson; and two godchildren. Also surviving are the good and dear friends, who know who they are. Surviving also are nieces and nephews in Maine, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, Illinois, Mississippi, and San Antonio.
Contributions may be made to the Building Fund at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Bellmead.
Contact Information:
Lake Shore Funeral Home & Cremation Services
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Marie was a Grand Lady and much loved. She touched many lives and will be missed.
Her spirit will be passed on through time by memories of her. Our prayers are with her
family and friends.
Was proud to know Marie as a loyal Union member of AFGE. Her wit & knowledge will be missed. Glad that she touched my life.
We will miss this lovely lady and Veteran . She did alot for Veterans, and the American Legion.
I worked with Marie for almost twenty years. I loved her sense of humor and spunk. She was a great lady. I’ll miss her.
I worked with Marie at TSTC for many years. She was genuinely kind and compassionate and will be missed by many. Prayers for her family and friends!
Marie was a wonderful friend and will be sorely missed.
My deepest sympathy to Marie’s family. I just want to share an anecdote about my dear friend, Marie. Several years ago she gifted to me her only copy of the history of the national union that we both belonged to (AFGE). I was deeply touched. This is an example of how Marie was devoted to passing on history and inspiration to a younger generation. She was a proud member of The Greatest Generation. I consider myself blessed to have had this wonderful woman as a mentor and friend. I will miss her so much.
My condolences to her family and friends. Marie had tons of tenacity and spunk. She was deeply loyal to her church, country, family, union and the Democratic Party. Marie served as my secretary while I was president of Texas Democratic Women of Central Texas and I was very grateful for her commitment and service. The void her passing leave will not be easily filled. Rest in peace, Marie.
Aunt Marie was probably the most spunkiest persons ever! She had such a delightful perspective on everything and it was always so precious to hear how she shared her faith with several young people. Such a great example of kindness and generosity, and the sincere care about leaving a better world behind her!
Marie was probably the most spunkiest persons ever! She had such a delightful perspective on everything and it was always so precious to hear how she shared her faith with several young people. Such a great example of kindness and generosity, and the sincere care about leaving a better world behind her!
To my Godmother, Aunt Laurence,
You will be deeply missed. As the oldest child of the Coulombe children, your family history knowledge, laughter, energy, wisdom and wit will always be remembered. I always looked forward to that Christmas card you sent every year, it was your special gift to me. Being so far away in miles from you was difficult, but the phone calls we had made up for that distance. Now you can be with your parents, brothers and sisters (my mother) and have that family gathering in the kitchen just like back in the day at Memere’s home and converse in French, ribbing your brothers or explaining that incident that happened to one of your sisters when they were babies. That’s what I’ll remember the most. RIP.
Marie,
You were always a joy to be around and
work with at the Labor Council and TDW. Your faith was apparent in all you did-day by day. You will be greatly missed.
Nolene Sykora