On April 5 ^th , 2023, Millie Elvira "Claudine" Cox, 87, of Sand Springs, peacefully slipped into eternity surrounded by her loving family.

Claudine was born on July 14 ^th , 1935, to Lucinda and Noble Smith, in Madison Court, Arkansas. After graduating from Sand Springs High School in 1953, she started working right away. Claudine was a hard worker who fancied beautiful clothes. After a dance one night she met a good-looking fella named J.B. Cox and that young man would later become her husband. Together, they raised four children, Jadine, Claudia, and twins, Tresa, and Lisa. In 1965 they started a furniture store south of town. Cox Furniture may have had a humble beginning, but she helped grow the store into a thriving furniture business. She had an incredible mind for business and numbers. She could add and figure several pieces of furniture in her head in front of a customer. She was the glue that grew the business. She prided herself in treating customers fairly and sold thousands of pieces of furniture and accessories. However, as those girls needed more attention, she needed to make them her priority. J.B. continued to work the store then added the girls one by one to help, while Claudine devoted her time to being a mother. She was an amazing cook and could be found shopping for bargains to clothe those growing girls and she dressed them in the best clothes. She welcomed the girls' friends into their home and would also invite them on their family vacations. One friend, Judy, was named by her dad as "the little girl down the street", and was welcomed into the flock as one of their own after meeting Jadine in second grade.

As the girls became busy with school and extracurricular activities; choir, softball, and cheerleading, she became their chauffeur! Claudine oversaw scheduling for four very active girls, sometimes taking them in multiple directions, especially when they were split up into different schools.

Later, after the girls were grown, she became single again. She used her real estate investments and reinvented herself into a successful and savvy businesswoman. She studied fervently the brands and values of antiquities. Then, she kept shopping for bargains and loved going to auctions, estate sales, garage sales and utilized her knowledge and keen eye for pricey collectables to resale.

Claudine dedicated her life to being a fantastic and wonderful mother. She excelled at making members of her family feel special and supported them through the many passions and difficulties in their lives. Family did not necessarily mean blood relations and she made it her mission to improve the lives of others.

While we will miss her greatly, we have been taught life lessons by the best and we will carry that knowledge with us until we meet again. Claudine believed God's promise of being reunited again with loved ones who  have also asked God into their lives. She would want each of you to search your heart and to be born again.

Claudine was preceded in death by her parents, Lucinda and Noble Smith, and her step-mother Dot, her sisters Tina Parks, Eva Jean Holt, Ettarene Harviston and brothers Chester, Lester andTerry Smith.

She leaves a host of loved ones; Sisters, Carolyn Schwickerath, Christina Hogner, and brother Lonnie Smith. Daughters: Jadine Nollan and husband Phil, Claudia Galloway, Tresa Collins and husband Scott, and Lisa Cox.

Grandchildren: Beau Galloway (Kristin), Josh Galloway (Jennie) Kristin Nollan Norman (Jordan), Kasey Nollan, Kurt Nollan, Ryan Collins, and Ashton Collins Casey (Brian). Along with 13 dearly loved great grand children.

Her greatest joy was her family, especially grandchildren and great grandchildren.  Each of them brought immense happiness to her life and she flashed that beautiful smile every time she saw them or spoke of them.

*Adopted by love; Judy Treat (Michael) sons Matthew Treat, and Andrew Treat (Amanda) and their children.

She also leaves a very special friend, B.J. Ingram.  Together they spent her twilight years enjoying dinner together and watching old movies.

Plus a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and many friends.