Edith Earlene Cox's Obituary
Edith Earlene (Wallace) Cox, age 76, of Tuscaloosa, Alabama passed away on Wednesday, February 7, 2024 at Hospice of West Alabama after a lengthy battle with Lewy Body dementia. Although she will be missed by her family, they rejoice in knowing that because she accepted Jesus as her Savior, she is in Heaven; whole in his presence and no longer suffering from this terrible disease.
A celebration of life service will be held in Tuscaloosa, Alabama on Tuesday, March 5, 2024, at 6:00 pm at East McFarland Baptist Church with visitation one hour prior to the service.
A celebration of life service will be held in Welch, Oklahoma on Tuesday, March 12, 2024, at 11 am at Thomas & Chenoweth Funeral Home with visitation one hour prior to the service.
Edith is survived by her husband of 50 years, Roy Cox of Tuscaloosa, Alabama; son, Gary (Kristen) Steele of Miami, Oklahoma; daughter, Brandi (Jeff) Hinton of Tuscaloosa, Alabama; grandchildren, Matt Steele of Bartlesville, Oklahoma; Nicole (Jeremy) Poole of Bluejacket, Oklahoma; Emma Appling and Grady Hinton of Tuscaloosa, Alabama; Kara (Matt) Crafton and Kayla (Chris) Mammedaty of Miami, Oklahoma; great grandchildren, Melanie Crafton and Andrew and Camden Mammedaty; Brother-in-law, Leon Long of Berlin, Maryland; Sister-in-law, Frances Wallace of Vinita, Oklahoma, Brother and Sister-in-Law, Joe and Diane Cox of Welch, Oklahoma; and Sister-in-Law, Ruth Branam of Fairland, Oklahoma; and a host of nieces and nephews.
Edith is preceded in death by her parents, Harold and Hazel (Matti) Wallace; infant son, Robert Steele; stepdaughter, Mary Vanover; daughter-in-law, Carrie Steele; sister and brother-in-law, Thelma and Jess Walker; sister, Ida Long; brother, James Wallace; brother and sister-in-law, Paul and Judy Wallace; and special niece, Linda Neill.
Edith was born in Vinita, Oklahoma on August 16, 1947. She grew up on the family farm outside of Bluejacket, Oklahoma. She attended Bluejacket Public Schools, graduating in 1965. Later she attended Northeast Area Vo-Tech School in Afton, Oklahoma where she graduated in 1979, receiving her Practical Nursing (LPN) license. She spent her nursing career in Oklahoma at Miami Baptist Hospital and Home of Hope Residential Facility; she worked in home health care once she moved to Alabama. Edith had a gift for working with special needs patients/residents. She was known for bringing many of the residents she cared for home with her for special occasions. She loved her patients and cared for them with all her heart. At one point, Edith took custody of a patient with special needs. She provided care for him until her disease progressed to the point where it was no longer feasible for her to do so.
Edith and her family moved to Tuscaloosa 38 years ago, in 1986, when her husband, Roy, was transferred to Tuscaloosa to work at BF Goodrich when the plant in Miami, Oklahoma closed. Although Edith and Roy built a wonderful life here in Tuscaloosa, she always longed to be back with her family in Oklahoma. Edith enjoyed the outdoors, spending any extra time in her flower and vegetable gardens or lounging by the water. She also loved to cook, read, and go antiquing. Her hobbies brought her much joy in life, and her nursing career, here and in Oklahoma, gave her such a sense of purpose; however, nothing can compare to what she was most proud of, her family. She loved spending time with her family, especially with her grandchildren. Nothing on earth gave her more pleasure, and more joy than being a grandmother.
Edith's heart's desire, to return home to Oklahoma, will finally be fulfilled. She will be laid to rest at Welch Cemetery in Welch, Oklahoma.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Hospice of West Alabama (www.hospiceofwestal.com) or Welch Cemetery Groundskeeping Fund - c/o Welch City Hall, PO Box 277, Welch, OK 74369.
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