Margaret F. Cox, 78, passed away at 4:40 am Tuesday, June 12, 2012 at Alton Nursing and Rehab in Alton while under the care of St. Anthony’s Hospice.
She was born on October 31, 1933 in East Alton, IL, the daughter of Charles Burnett and Nellie (Coker) Cox.
She was a nurse’s aide for 25 plus years and retired from Wood River Township Hospital. She attended the Bethalto Church of God and the South Roxana First Assembly of God Church. She grew up in the Church of God denomination, first in East Alton and then to the current location in Bethalto. She enjoyed helping with dinners, making peanut brittle, crocheting and gospel music.
Margaret dedicated her life to being a caregiver to many including her brother, Leonard and her mother, Nellie. She gave up much of her own time and money and was not able to travel or do fun things like other people. She was sole caretaker for Leonard for the first three years of his life. He then went to live with his mother and when she passed away in 2002, Margaret became his legal guardian. Around 1969 she helped look after her sister, Vurble, driving to Gillespie four or five days a week and staying there for six hours each day for several years until her death in 1997. In 2005 she assisted in taking care of her sister, Marie until her death. She spent her life giving and sharing and never expected anything in return.
She is survived by her daughter, Cynthia (Cloninger) Cox of East Alton and her grandsons, Darin Ebling of East Alton and Ronald Schardan and his wife, Vanessa of Missouri, great grandchildren, Colton, Brooklyn and Hudson.
She is also survived by two brothers, Leonard Cox and Leslie Cox; two sisters, Ruby Purkey and Linda Andrews; other survivors, Beverly Herrin and Francis Williams and several grandchildren and great grandchildren.
She is preceded in death by her parents, three brothers, Glen “Edward” Cox, James “Forest” Cox and Charles Cox, two sisters, Ann Marie Wright and Vurble Smith and a brother-in-law, Everett Smith.
Visitation will be from 5 pm until services at 7 pm on Friday, June 15, 2012 at the Bethalto Church of God in Bethalto with Pastors Tim Campbell and Pastor Rich Goldizen officiating.
Burial will be private.
Memorials may be given to the Bethalto Church of God Winter Fest Fund or South Roxana First Assembly of God Youth Camp Fund.
Elias, Kallal & Schaaf Funeral Home in Bethalto is in charge of arrangements.
Online condolences and guest book may be found at www.eliaskallalandschaaf.com.
