Kristin Hinton Cox

Kristin Hinton Cox, a resident of Fannin, passed away at MD Anderson Cancer Center on March 18, 2025, after a courageous nine-month battle with lung cancer. She was 35 years old.

Kristin was born on April 10, 1989, in Flowood, Mississippi, to Dusty and Dees Hinton. On the day she was brought home from the hospital, snow blanketed the entire Jackson metro area, a rare event that foreshadowed the extraordinary life she would lead for the next thirty-five years. Her childhood was made even brighter by the birth of her little sister, Harlee, in December 1993. Daily life was filled with laughter, playing in the treehouse until fireflies flickered, riding horses, and embracing the joy of getting muddy. When not at school, summers consisted of weeks at Strong River Camp and Farm, swim meets, church camps, slumber parties, and many dance parties—often to the tunes of the Grease soundtrack. In her mind, Kristin was a proud member of the Pink Ladies.

Kristin attended St. Andrew's Episcopal School from kindergarten through twelfth grade, graduating in 2007 as an Alpha and Omega graduate. During her time at St. Andrew’s, she was heavily involved in cheerleading. She was a proud member of the Middle School, Junior Varsity, and finally the Varsity team, where she was a captain. Kristin developed close relationships during her time at St. Andrew’s and always cherished these friendships into adulthood. To her peers, she was known for her spirited, tenacious, and authentic self. Amidst summer cheer camps and practices, she annually traveled to the Matamoros Children’s Home in Matamoros, Mexico, where she taught Vacation Bible School classes. It was during this time that Kristin developed a passion for nurturing children.

Essentially born with a cowbell in her hand, she attended Mississippi State University, graduating in 2011 with a Bachelor of Science in Biology. Throughout her time at Mississippi State, she was a dedicated fan at every football game, trying to “educate” coaches Sylvester Croom and Dan Mullen on the best plays. During her first semester in Starkville, she was reintroduced to Joseph Cox, who would soon become the love of her life. While she was a diligent student, ultimately graduating with honors, she also celebrated the Bulldogs' victories with friends throughout the Cotton District. If Kristin ever went missing for a few minutes, she could always be found next to the DJ, taking control of the auxiliary cord and the music for the rest of the night.

Immediately after finishing her time at MSU, Kristin began nursing school at the University of Mississippi Medical Center. She quickly earned a reputation for her nursing knowledge, clinical skills, and patient advocacy. In 2013, she was awarded the Medical Center Student of the Year. She began her nursing career in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, where she was not only excited to care for her patients but also eager to share her knowledge with her peers. Her quick wit captivated those around her, but it was her compassion that truly touched the hearts of her patients, their parents, and her coworkers. Kristin was nominated for and received the Daisy Award for Nursing Excellence while working in the PICU. She later attended the University of Southern Mississippi to obtain her Doctor of Nurse Anesthesia and practiced as a Pediatric Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist at Blair E. Batson Children's Hospital until her health prevented her from continuing. Kristin often referred to her “second family” at Batson, expressing gratitude for the wonderful support and prayers from her peers throughout her journey.

On May 3, 2014, Kristin stood with Joseph Cox in front of family and friends and said, “I do,” committing to be a wife and partner through better or worse, in sickness and health, until death parts them. With Joseph by her side, Kristin felt unstoppable. They brought out the best in each other and were truly best friends and life partners. On November 19, 2019, Kristin and Joseph's lives were forever changed with the birth of their first son, Hinton Nathan Cox. Hinton was soon joined by Elliot Joseph Cox on August 13, 2021, and their caboose, Tate Buchanan Cox, on April 3, 2023. Kristin excelled in her role as a mother to her three boys. A proud “boy mom,” she could coordinate family Halloween costumes, throw themed birthday parties, and always sought one-on-one time with each of her boys, whether fishing, swinging, or doing crafts together. Kristin often said that her four boys were her everything.

As friends and family reflect on our memories of Kristin, it can be easily acknowledged that she was truly a once-in-a-lifetime person. Her grit, strength, and deep love for her family and friends will help us move forward, never forgetting the sunlight she so effortlessly reflected or the laughter that could quickly fill a room. We take comfort in knowing that Kristin had a strong faith and knew that she would spend eternity dancing in heaven. Like one of the many songs of her childhood, we must learn and continue to "sing in the rain" no matter the storm or circumstance.

 Kristin is survived by her husband, Joseph Cox; sons, Hinton Nathan (5), Elliot Joseph (3) and Tate Buchanan (1); parents, Cobern Dees Hinton and Dusty Foreman Hinton; sister, Harlee Hinton Walley (Mitchell) and niece, Miller Kristin Walley; nephew Carson Odom; mother-in-love, Mary Jane Cox; sister-in-law, Meagan Cox Babb (Todd) and nieces, Ella and Briar; brother-in-law, Jacob Nathan Cox (Lauren) and nieces, Allie, Caroline, and Aubrey; brother-in-law, Lukas Harris Cox (Laura) and nephews, Whitt and Nathan, and niece, Lawson. Kristin is further survived by her Uncle Robert Maynard Foreman Jr. (Annette), first cousin, Hannah Foreman Ivison (Will) and second cousins, Teddy and Lillie Ivison; Uncle Samuel Donald Hinton (Donna), Aunt Patricia Hinton Grigsby, and a plethora of other family members whom she dearly loved. Kristin was grateful to have so many friendships that truly encompassed the timeline of her life, and she treasured each of them. 

She was preceded in death by her half-sister, Alison Hinton Davis; grandparents, Jimmie Collum Foreman Burnette and Robert Maynard Foreman, Patsy Hinton Jones and Samuel Cobern Hinton, Jr; great Aunt, Bobbie Dean Collum; uncle, Stephen Buchanan Foreman; and father-in-law, Nathan Henry Cox. 

A funeral service and celebration of the tremendous life that Kristin had will be held at Pinelake Church Reservoir Campus on Saturday, March 29th at 12 pm. Visitation will be prior to the service beginning at 10 am. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Kristin H. Cox Excellence in Pediatric Nursing Memorial Scholarship Fund at the University of Mississippi Medical Center. 

The family would like to extend resounding gratitude to Kristin's entire medical team consisting of Dr. Guangzhi Qu, Jennifer Holly, FNP; as well as the entire nursing staff at Jackson Oncology Associates; Dr. John Heymach and Melody Caranto, NP of MD Anderson Cancer Center; Dr. Micheal Senitko, Dr. George Abraham and Jennifer Pate, FNP of UMMC Pulmonology; and Dr. Will Nichols of Jackson Heart Clinic. The dedication and compassion shown to Kristin throughout her battle with cancer was unwavering.