Our lives were enlightened by knowing Mary Esther who we lovingly called “Mae". She was called to her heavenly home on November 13, 2023, after a brief battle with cancer. She fought a brave hard fight to the very end.
Mae was born on July 2, 1951, in Greenville, North Carolina to the late Willie & Esther Cox. She moved to Long Branch, NJ at the age of 11. Growing up she enjoyed playing with her siblings and going to the boardwalk. She attended Long Branch High School where she played basketball until her graduation in 1970. After graduation she went on to work for Monmouth Park for over 30 years and for The City of Long Branch for 35 years where she was affectionately known as Ms. Mary the crossing guard. Mae was well known for her softball skills, she played along with her sisters for the Hustlettes & Lady Squad. She enjoyed family gatherings, watching her sports & playing cards. She enjoyed cooking and hosting family events at the "Big House" along with her sister Annie “Sis” Cox. They were truly inseparable. Everyone knew if you saw Mae, you saw Sis.
Mae took pride in being a mother and grandmother and oh boy did she love and cherish her daughter & grandkids. She spoiled her grandkids every chance she got. She didn't play about her grandbabies. Mae enjoyed spending time with family and brought her kind spirit into all our lives and will be dearly missed by all that were blessed to know and love her.
In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by her Brothers Willie Cox Jr., Abdur R. Wali Sr., Noah “Bo" Cox (Benzina), Luther "Richard" Cannon Cox (Lee) and Jimmy Lee. Sisters Ida Ruth Daniels, Carolyn "Faye" Tyler and Brenda Jackson.
She is survived by her daughter Sameerah "Scooty" Cox of Long Branch, NJ; grandchildren I'meera Coston-Cox, Mia Coston-Cox and Elijah “Mello" Howard all of Long Branch, NJ; brothers Arthur Ray Cox (Julene) of Greenville, NC, Pastor Al Anderson (Kerry) of Raeford, NC and Tim Cox (Faith) of Long Branch, NJ; sister Annie Cox of Long Branch, NJ; sisters-in-law Jamilah Wali and Betty Cox of New Haven, CT; brothers-in-law Aulander Daniels Sr., Rodney Tyler and Bennie "Malik" Jackson all of Long Branch, NJ; her close friends Evonne “Pep" Reevey and Aaliyah Wali; along with a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
