Jessie Marilyn Bradley Cox passed peacefully at home, on June 19th, 2026, surrounded by the love of her family. Marilyn’s life was marked by faith, devotion to family, hospitality, education, and a love story that spanned a lifetime.

Marilyn was born on January 8, 1947, in Holdenville, Oklahoma to Jess and Eula Bradley. In May 1958, she moved with her parents to Oklahoma City where they opened Roundup Cleaners, a family business that would remain an important part of her life to this day.

She graduated Magna Cum Laude from Putnam City High School in 1965. She then attended Central State University, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Library Science in 1969. Following graduation, Marilyn and her husband, Bruce, moved to Wyoming so Bruce could complete his engineering degree. Marilyn continued her education, earning a Master of Arts in Library Science from the University of Northern Colorado in 1971.

A beautiful chapter of Marilyn’s life began in 1955, when eight-year-old Bruce Cox and Marilyn Bradley met at First Baptist Church Holdenville, OK. Bruce’s father had been called as pastor, and Marilyn’s father served as chairman of the pulpit search committee. The two families became lifelong friends. What began as childhood friendship grew into love when Bruce and Marilyn began dating in the summer of 1969.

They were married on August 28, 1969, beginning a remarkable marriage defined by faithfulness, partnership, and unwavering devotion. They honeymooned on their way to their new home in Laramie, Wyoming. They moved to Loveland, Colorado in May 1970 where Bruce worked at Hewlett Packard. Their first daughter, Christi Cox McConnell was born in January 1971 in Loveland, Colorado.

In August 1971, the couple moved to Perry, Oklahoma where Marilyn taught at Perry Junior High School. In May 1973, Bruce graduated from Oklahoma State University with a Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering. Following his graduation, the family moved to Duncan, Oklahoma where Bruce accepted a position at Halliburton. Duncan became their lifelong home. Their son, Bradley Cox, was born in January 1975, and their daughter, Kelsey Sweger, was born in October 1976 in Duncan Oklahoma.

In 1978, Marilyn began what would become a distinguished 33-year career at Red River Technology Center. Through her work as an educator and librarian, she influenced countless students and colleagues with her intelligence, dedication, and servant’s heart. She retired from education in 2011, but did not slow down. She returned to work alongside Bruce at Roundup Cleaners, where they continued serving the community together.

Bruce and Marilyn were rarely apart. Their children often joked that they were always together, and it was nearly impossible to remember a time when they spent a night apart. The last occasion the family could recall was in August 1992, when Bradley and Kelsey were away at Falls Creek, Marilyn attended a conference in Stillwater, and Christi and her new husband, Steven, had just left on their honeymoon. Bruce and Marilyn’s marriage was a beautiful picture of companionship, commitment, and enduring love.

Marilyn loved a full house. Hospitality was not simply something she did — it was who she was. For decades, Bruce and Marilyn opened their home to countless young people from First Baptist Church Duncan, feeding hamburgers and hot dogs, sharing laughter, encouragement, and love. Everyone was welcome at their house. She taught her daughters, son and daughter-in-law, the importance of creating a home where people felt seen, valued, and loved. Her gift of hospitality blessed generations of family, friends, church members, and students.

Marilyn was preceded in death by her parents, Jess Bradley and Eula Bradley, and her beloved daughter-in-law, Farah Cox.

Marilyn’s greatest joy was her family. She is survived by her husband of 57 years, Bruce Cox; daughter Christi Cox McConnell and husband Steven McConnell, their sons Brycen McConnell and Jarret McConnell, and Brycen’s fiancée, Allison Monroe; son Bradley Cox; granddaughter Brookelyn Cox Burk and her husband, Cameron Burk, and their son, Asher Burk, Marilyn’s great-grandson; granddaughters Meredith Cox and Camille Cox; and daughter Kelsey Sweger and husband Scott Sweger, and their children, Kasey Sweger and Sam Sweger.

Above all else, Marilyn loved Jesus, her family, and her church. She leaves behind a legacy of faith, kindness, service, learning, and hospitality. Her influence will continue to be felt through the countless lives she touched, the students she encouraged, the friends she welcomed, and the family she cherished. She is tremendously loved and will be greatly missed, but we all know that she is in heaven with Jesus celebrating her joyously wonderful homecoming!

Marilyn’s care has been entrusted to Carter-Smart Funeral Directors. A family visitation will take place at Carter-Smart Funeral Home on Thursday, June 25, 2026 from 6-8 pm. Her life will be celebrated at a memorial service on Friday, June 26, 2026, at 10:00 am at the First Baptist Church with Reverend Charles McConnell officiating.