Remembering William Thomas "Tommy" Cox, GaTOTA past President

Patsy Edgar (a former president, GA TOTA, and current national TOTA secretary):
"Tommy stepped up to fill a void in the chapter at a critical time. Under his leadership as chapter president, the chapter grew and increased awareness of the legacy of the Trail of Tears in Georgia significantly. His contribution continued on the board of the Association once his terms as president expired. His tireless work yielded great results and he will be missed.

Leslie Thomas (GA TOTA VP):
"Tommy was a mentor to me along with Wanda Patterson. I had offered to do a newsletter as a means of getting new members - a better method of announcing meetings to those who had visited us than just a post card. We were always meeting at the Jasper Steakhouse in Pickens County and it seemed to be rather exclusive. Patsy was president when I began coming ...
"After Tommy took over he had an episode of illness that kept him homebound for several weeks. Fortunately we met only once a quarter at that point. We had just began to use the method of email to communicate. J. B. Tate and Doug Mabry both ... were very helpful in keeping us going and on track. Tommy had met with national reps either in person or via telephone on several occasions...
"We decided to meet more often and to take the meetings around the North Georgia former Cherokee Nation area. It was then that we began meeting every other month and began to support New Echota, Chieftains, Vann House and Etowah Mounds. Tommy's health may have precluded him instigating some of the things we are now involved in but he was always there to support us in our endeavors. Spending all these years in what amounts to long-distance friendships - you just take things for granted that those who have always been there will always be there...
"He was instrumental in getting the conference held here in Georgia and I know he spent countless hours insuring that things would go well. His demeanor was always one of 'make it work with whatever you have.

Myra Reidy:
"Tommy Cox was a mighty warrior with a good heart. We were once having a conversation about the TOTA and the work that we do. He stressed to me that we must never forget those who were a part of the Trail of Tears and preserve their memory. His dedication and commitment to the TOTA's work was and is an inspiration to me."

Linda Baker (GA TOTA secretary):
"When Tommy became GA TOTA president following a difficult period in the chapter's history, he unified the board and infused it and the membership with his optimistic and good-hearted personality. Everyone loved Tommy. Tommy and Kathy were volunteers at the Funk Heritage Center many years ago which is where I met them. They have always been generous with their time - volunteering at the Funk and then at the Booth Museum in Cartersville while also being active members of GA TOTA. Tommy is the one who asked me to join GA TOTA and I was very proud and honored to become secretary under his watch. We sometimes had our differences but there was always an underlying respect and genuine concern for each other. I will miss his great smile and his bear hugs but am thankful that, for too short a time, he was part of our lives."

 

Tommy and Kathy Cox at the 2008 TOTA Conference
in Little Rock, Arkansas

Tommy and Kathy Cox on the Arkansas Queen during the 2008 TOTA Conference in Little Rock, Arkansas