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Phyllis Cox marks 50 years with East Lauderdale News

A front-page article in the Thursday, August 12, 1971 edition of the East Lauderdale News informed the public that Phyllis Cox “has been employed as assistant to the publisher of East Lauderdale News, it was announced today by (then-publisher) M. Beasley Thompson.”

The article noted that Phyllis, a 1967 graduate of Lexington High School, majored in business administration in college and that she was married to Jim Cox, a science teacher at Lauderdale County High School.

While Phyllis was working at the East Lauderdale News, Jim began writing for the paper part-time while still teaching at LCHS.

In 1973, the Coxes purchased the East Lauderdale News from Mr. Thompson. It has been published ever since and remains in the family.

The original location of the East Lauderdale News office was on Mackey Street, across from the southern end of the LCHS football stadium.

The office was moved to Wheeler Street (Highway 207) in 1973, then to its current location on Lee Street downtown in 1978.

Phyllis recalls, “The first lesson I learned at the ELN is the correct spelling of the word ‘cemetery.’ Over the years, I learned that it is the most frequently misspelled word in the English language.

“The second lesson I learned is that newspaper employees do not have set working hours. Events and news happen around the clock. I also learned that constructive criticism was not necessarily a bad thing. Suggestions were taken seriously, and improvements were made along the way.”

Phyllis says memorable events in the history of the East Lauderdale News include visiting with Alabama Governor George Wallace at his office in Montgomery; interviewing Georgette Jones in Brentwood, Tennessee, at the home of her father, George Jones; visiting Marty Raybon and members of Shenandoah at the old Four Rs restaurant in Rogersville; an interview with Charlie Daniels aboard his tour bus; and pictures of large or unusual snakes, rutabagas, watermelons, etc. These are just a fraction of her many ELN memories, events and highlights.

Jim and Phyllis have also attended many interesting events over the years, including special tours, concerts, press conferences, etc.

Phyllis explained, “Jim enjoyed the newspaper business even more than teaching, and he and I became a team working together. Over the years we have faced sickness, surgeries, deaths of loved ones and even natural disasters as a team.”

“It seems like snow & ice and tornadoes would tend to happen on press days,” she said.

Phyllis added, “It has been a blessing to have had this job and provide a service to the citizens of Lauderdale County and beyond. We’re very much blessed and appreciative of the support and the friendships we’ve made along the way.”

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