Rene Patton-Cox Obituary

Rene Patton-Cox was born on March 24, 1954, in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. The fourth child of Rosie-Mae and Henry Ellis Patton, Sr., who raised her with love, strength, and unwavering support. From a young age, Rene displayed a vibrant spirit, a kind heart, and a natural ability to bring joy to those around her. She was a devoted daughter and sister who loved her family and always honored her mother.
At the age of 3, Rene relocated with her family to Jamaica, Queens, New York, where she attended P.S. 45 Elementary School and graduated from Benjamin N. Cardozo High School in 1972. Later, she attended SUNY Oswego, where she soared to academic excellence and forged meaningful lifelong friendships. It was there in 1973 that she met Michael K. Cox, the love of her life. After graduating in 1976 with a BA in political science, Rene began an illustrative 37-year career at Mt. Sinai Hospital, where she held several positions in administration. Her dedication to excellence left a lasting impression on colleagues who all admired and respected her. She was deeply committed to her work, always striving to make a difference and leave a positive mark on the world.
Beyond her professional achievements, Rene was a woman of faith. She grew up in Smith Temple First Church of God in Christ, located in St. Albans, NY, where she accepted Christ as her personal Lord and Savior at an early age. At Smith Temple, she formed profound connections that blossomed into lifelong friendships and a sense of family.
Rene found joy in the arts. She loved the theater, music and concerts, dancing, karaoke, and fashion. Rene was artistic and creative and was always eager to share her talents with those around her. Whether creating a poster-sized collage or diorama for your birthday or holiday, decorating for events, or in the kitchen, whipping up a batch of her homemade yeast rolls or potato salad, Rene approached every project with enthusiasm and love. Rene was an avid reader who hosted many book clubs, followed politics, and enjoyed matching wits with opponents in a friendly game of trivia or a good game of Bid Whist. She was also a world traveler and loved to explore new destinations, traveling to parts of Africa, including Egypt, Paris, and Greece, just to name a few.
More than anything, Rene was devoted to her family and friends. In 1991, she married her devoted husband, Michael K. Cox. She cherished her marriage and was a source of love, strength, laughter, guidance, and support. Her love for her husband, siblings, nieces, and nephews knew no bounds. She took great pride in being a loyal daughter, sister, aunt, wife, and friend. Rene had one younger sister, Juanita, whom she lovingly referred to as her "baby sister." Growing up, they were inseparable. They always shared a special and loving bond that was genuinely noticeable and uplifting. Rene had a great relationship with her cousin Ralph Moore who was like a brother. She had a special bond with her nephew Victor Patton and nieces Shanel, Delilah, and Ashley, who were like her daughters, and Parker L. Roman, the youngest great-nephew, whom she loved and adored. He was truly the apple of her eye.
On Monday, July 21, 2025, Rene passed from labor to reward in her home in Townsend, Delaware, where she relocated in 2023 with her husband by her side.
She was preceded in death and met at the pearly gates of Heaven by her mother Rosie-Mae Patton, Father Henry Ellis Patton Sr., brothers R.L. Hall "Sonnyboy", Henry Ellis Patton Jr, and Johnny Earl Patton, Godfather Willie James McCray, and Godmother Mable Ware Melton "Mother".
She leaves to cherish her memory a beloved husband Michael K. Cox; her baby sister Juanita Patton-Garrett (Alvin Garrett); 10 nieces and nephews - Robert Hall Sr. (Marcia Hall), Victor Patton (Ranjini Patton), Derrick Patton, Daniel Patton ( Maria Patton), Nigel Patton, Shanel Corrine Patterson (also her God daughter), Delilah Rosalie Patton, Rene Kirnon (Antoine Kirnon), Ashley Aja Rose Taylor (Devonne Taylor), and Nasya Patton; niece in laws - Trina Garrett (Andrew), Dr. Dantie Brown (Larry); Jessica Monde and Demetria Porter (who were like nieces); Godmother Willie Ruth McCray (Beverly, Anthony, and Marty); God sisters Julia Anderson and Geraldine Smith (Irvin Smith); and a host of great nieces and nephews, relatives and dear friends.
Rene was a force of nature, and her spirit will live on in every shared story and every act of love inspired by her example. We will forever carry her in our hearts.
A funeral service will be held on Friday, August 8, 2025, at noon at Daniels & Hutchison Funeral Home, 212 N. Broad St., Middletown, DE 19709. A viewing will be held from 11 am to 12 pm. Burial will follow in Old Draywers Cemetery, Middletown, DE.
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