Irene Akins Cox, though she has passed her 90th year, still has a keen eye for beauty and the know-how to stage the perfect reception.
Mrs. Cox, who long operated Irene's Decorating Studio on Dodds Avenue, has lost some of her mobility due to a hip problem and is moving to an assisted living facility at Rainbow City, near Gadsden, Ala.
She was born at Broomtown, Ala., the daughter of John Akins and Martha Josephine Hartline. She had one sister and four brothers, and many of her surviving relatives live in the Gadsden area.
Irene grew up in Fort Payne and graduated from Fort Payne High School before enrolling at the University of Chattanooga.
She stayed on in town, and operated her decorating business for 35 years.
One of her biggest jobs was at the Castle in the Clouds on Lookout Mountain (later Covenant College). She was in charge of redecorating the lobby and rooms. In the process, she came up with an innovative faux tree that long was in the hotel (and college) snack bar.
It was July 1948 when she met James Hassell Cox, who had been a star athlete at Soddy-Daisy High School and had a cattle farm. His parents were William Jackson Cox and Earsie Brumlow Cox.
Hassell had been in the Navy in the South Pacific during World War II, and he later had a coal company and was a shrewd real estate investor. He played for a while with a professional baseball team in Chattanooga and also studied law and was involved in banking.
He operated Cox Coal and Supply on Main Street for 25 years.
After a long courtship, Irene and Hassell were married in May 1958. They made their home on a large estate in Chattanooga Valley off Happy Valley Road. They also enjoyed their lake home on Weiss Lake.
After Hassell's death, Irene moved into a home near Ridgeland High School. She used her decorating expertise to add many special touches to the home.
Mrs. Cox has been a faithful member at Chattanooga Valley Presbyterian Church, and she was honored with a farewell luncheon on Sunday. For many years, she was in charge of special events in the church fellowship hall.
Church members praised her for her enthusiasm for life, her wisdom and the example she set for the many who learned many life lessons as well as household tips from Irene Akins Cox.