NEELYVILLE — Mary Ellen Cox, 87, of Neelyville, Missouri, passed away Sept. 15, 2021, at her residence. She was born, April 26, 1934, at Neelyville, Missouri, to the late Edward Simmering and Essie “Sloan” Simmering.
On Feb. 28, 1953, she was married to Jerome McDowell Cox at Piggott, Arkansas. He preceded her in death on July 11, 2018.
She is survived by her children: Mark Cox and Wife Karen of Mt. Home, Arkansas, Karen Prosser of Neelyville, and Jerrie Bolhafner of Neelyville; three grandchildren, JoAnn Blagg, Rick Prosser, Elizabeth Byrd; nine great grandchildren, Jessica, Miranda, Jordan, Fox, Wesley, Mac, Madi, Mary and Ella, as well as six great-great grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her husband, parents and one son, John Richard “Dicky” Cox; three sisters, Erma Simmering, Thruma Berry and Helen Simmering; and brother Bill Simmering and wife Louise.
Mrs. Cox was a member of the Neelyville Methodist Church that she grew up in. She had served as, treasurer, children’s Sunday school teacher and played the piano. She was a active member of Neelyville Alumni Association as well as Neelyville Historical Society. She graduated from Neelyville High School in 1952. She lived in Collinsville, Illinois, where she raised her children and was active in the PTA and cub scouts. She then moved back to Butler County in 1975.
She enjoyed gardening, piano, reading, spending time with grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Visitation for Mrs. Cox will be at 1 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 18, 2021, with the funeral following at 2 p.m., all in the Fowler and Sons Funeral Home at Neelyville. Burial will be in the Gum Cemetery.