Mildred May Cox

Mildred May Cox Givens Coffey was born on July 12, 1921, to David Willie and Norma Marie Osborne Cox. A native of Green County, Kentucky, Mildred was a graduate of WKU, where she earned a Bachelor of Science from the College of Education and Behavioral Sciences. Following graduation, she served as a teacher in Kentucky for over 40 years. Beginning in 1943 at a one room schoolhouse at Fancy Ridge in Green County, she finished her career at Greensburg elementary teaching the fifth grade in 1984.

Mildred was a member of Ebenezer Presbyterian Church in Greensburg, Kentucky, and there made a profession of faith and was a Sunday School teacher. She was also active in her community as a member of the Kentucky Retired Teachers Association and the Democrat Women’s Club.

She married Oval H. Givens on December 21, 1940. She and Oval were married until his passing on May 15, 1971. She later married John Coffey on February 27, 1981. John preceded her in death on November 9, 1998. Mildred passed away on February 17, 2006, in Greensburg, at the age of 84 years. Having no children, she poured her life into her sixteen nieces and nephews, education, trips, and encouragement.

Following her passing, Mike and Bonnie Givens established the Mildred May Cox Scholarship Fund in November of 2008. The fund assists deserving full-time WKU students who have at least a 2.0 cumulative GPA. First preference is given to descendants of David Willie Cox and Norma Marie Osborne, with second preference given to students who are a native of Green County, Kentucky, and attended Green County High School for at least two years. Through this fund, Mildred’s legacy lives on in perpetuity.