Nettie Johnson Cox

Nettie Johnson Cox, 89, passed away peacefully on Saturday, September 26, 2026.

Born August 13, 1937, in Robeson County, North Carolina, Nettie was the daughter of Robert Battle and Virgie Holder Johnson and one of eighteen children. She attended Durham Memorial Baptist Church while living in Durham and later attended Berry’s Grove Baptist Church after moving to Rougemont.

Her family was as large as her love. From a young age, Nettie learned that life was meant to be shared with family, and she carried that with her throughout her life as a mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, and aunt.

Nettie took great pride in her many years of nursing and caretaking. She worked as a nurse at Durham Regional Hospital and later continued caring for others as a companion at Duke Forest. Caring for people came naturally to her and remained an important part of who she was throughout her life. She also liked things just so—her house was always spotless, she loved her jewelry and a little sparkle, and if you came to visit, you were going to eat, probably more than once. Making sure people were fed and cared for was simply Nettie’s way of loving them.

Nettie was preceded in death by her parents; her children, Charles Ralph Cox Jr. and Lana Sue Cox; her grandson, Jay Champion; her beloved son-in-law, Ray Champion; and thirteen siblings: R.B., Kenneth, Earl, David, Larry, and Curt Johnson; Mary Stephenson, Louise Tyler, Betty Hall, Carol Heider, Brenda Johnson, Sharon Johnson, and Gloria Johnson.

She is survived by her children, Janice Champion of Clayton and Michael Cox of Mebane; her siblings, Tommy Johnson (Betty Jean), Billy Johnson (Rhonda), Linda West (Dean), and Pam Johnson; eight grandchildren and sixteen great-grandchildren; and many beloved nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews.

Michael’s visits brought Nettie great joy in her final years, and one of her most prized possessions was the baby doll he gave her.

After the difficult final years of dementia, her family finds comfort in imagining her homecoming—no confusion, no suffering, and no failing memory—just whole and free, recognizing those waiting for her, with Lana surely being the first to greet her wearing a smile, followed by Ray, ready with one more Nettie joke to make her laugh like only he could.

The family extends heartfelt gratitude to the staff of Smithfield Manor for their compassionate care and to Berry’s Grove Baptist Church for their love, prayers, and cards.

A funeral service will be held at 2:00 p.m. Wednesday, September 30, 2026, at Hudson Funeral Home with visitation from 1:00–2:00 p.m. Pastor Craig Willingham will officiate, with burial following at Oak Grove Memorial Gardens.

Pallbearers will be Tanner Williamson, Jimmy Beasley, Andrew Hurst, Wayland Morgan, John Tyler, and Buck Johnson.