Aleta S. Cox
March 28, 1953 – December 6, 2023

Aleta S. Cox, 70, of Engelhard, passed away Wednesday, December 6, 2023, at ECU Health Beaufort Hospital in Washington.

Aleta Cox was born in Carteret County on March 28, 1953, to Richard Travis and Valeria Lawrence Smith.  She was married to Hyler Wayne Cox, who survives.

Aleta was a graduate from Appalachian State University with a BA in Education and later obtained her Master’s Degree in Education from East Carolina University.  Her love for children, reading and education is obvious from her long tenure of thirty-eight years, with the Hyde County School System.  She taught third grade for twenty-five years and then moved to the central office to administer the federal programs.  She was responsible for starting the reading program in the Hyde Co. Public Schools.  She was also a member of the Hyde County Board of Education for the past twelve years.  Aleta was a member of Watson’s Chapel Global Methodist Church, and a lay leader.

A visitation will take place from 11:30 - 12:30, on Saturday, December 9, 2023, at the Old Store.

A memorial service will be held at 1:00 p.m., on Saturday, December 9, 2023, at Watson’s Chapel Global Methodist Church, officiated by Jerald Craddock.

In addition to her husband, she is survived by her mother, Valeria L. Smith, of Newport, two sisters, Joyce Masters (David) of Beaufort, NC, and Richy Huneycutt of Kinston, NC, nephew, Travis Masters (Brittany) of Jacksonville, niece, Kaitlin Gibbs (JD) of Kinston and Great-niece, Reagan Gibbs.

She was predeceased by her father, Richard Travis Smith.

Memorial contributions may be made to Watson’s Chapel Global Methodist Church, c/o Pamela Berry at 225 Goshen Road, Engelhard, NC  27824.

Arrangements are by Bryan Funeral Service, Swan Quarter.