Joyce Cox

Joyce M. Cox, age 84, of Mt. Morris, passed away surrounded by the love and prayers of her family, Saturday, June 4, 2016.
She was born on December 27, 1931, in Salem Township, IL, the daughter of Donald and Bernice (Bashaw) Asay.
Joyce grew up in Mt. Carroll and attended local schools in Polo, IL. She graduated from Polo High School with the class of 1949.
It was in the halls of her high school that Joyce met the love of her life, Donald Cox. She only had eyes for Don and a quick two years later, their two hearts became one when they were united in marriage on June 24, 1951, in Polo, IL.
Joyce and Don and daughter “Josy” moved back to Illinois, following Don’s honorable discharge from the U.S. Air Force, settling back in Polo for a time. They finally made their home in Mt. Morris in 1960 where they lived out the remainder of their years together.
Joyce was an engineering secretary at Quebecor, before moving over to the Traffic Department in her later years. She retired after more than 30 years of dedicated service in 2001.
Joyce and Don worked side by side, restoring and selling antiques, eventually opening their own business, Sawtooth Antiques and Collectibles in Mt. Morris. She was a doting grandmother to 18 grandchildren, who filled her life with laughter and love. Both she and Don loved to travel together, oftentimes setting their sights on Branson, MO and Nashville, TN. Joyce was an accomplished seamstress, was well known for fashionable hats and her fingers created beautiful afghans and baby blankets through her knitting. Following Don’s passing, Joyce wasn’t far behind in their Heavenly reunion a mere nine months later. She loved antiques, especially granite ware, and boasted of a great collection. Raspberry pies and jam were her specialty in the kitchen. Her smile brightened the room and her laugh was contagious. Her home was her castle and nothing was more important or near to her heart, than her family. She and Don are now free to enjoy their Heavenly home and joy unbridled.
She is survived by her six children: Josy (Mark) Blevins; Penny (Scott) Reining; Heidi Lester, Jim (Sherry) Cox, Tim Cox, Kim (Tim) Kasper; 18 grandchildren: Stacy (Scott) Hudson, Jeff Blevins, Steven (Cassidy) Blevins, Meghan (Mike) Peters, Chris (Kathleen) Reining, Marissa (Matt) Martinson, Paige Lester, Andrea Cox, Adam (Emily) Cox, Sean (Josie Marlowe) Cox, Jaime (Caitlyn) Cox, Maggie Cox, Ryan (Libby) Kasper, Becky (Matt) Prebble, Joe Kasper, Jason Lillie, Robert Lillie, and Amanda (Michael) Peterson; 21 great-grandchilden; One sister, Evelyn Smith, One sister-in-law, Irene Klingle and several nieces and nephews, as well as a family of friends.
She is preceded in death by her parents, her husband Don and one sister Doris Buisker.

A memorial has been established in Joyce’s name to benefit Harbor Light Hospice, 800 Roosevelt Rd. Building C Suite 206, Glen Ellyn, IL 60137. Tributes may also be forwarded to Conley Funeral Home Facebook Page and at www.conleycare.com.

A memorial gathering to celebrate both Joyce and Don’s life will be held on July 24, 2016 at the White Pines Inn in Oregon, IL, from 1:30-4 p.m.

Pastor Sandy Graber of Rochelle will officiate with private family interment to follow cremation at a later date.