Mary Lou Cox

     Mary Lou Cox, 83, of Jumping Branch, died Monday, February 12, 2024, at Beckley Appalachian Regional Hospital, following an extended illness.

      Born November 24, 1940, in Ellison, WV, Mary Lou was the eldest daughter of the late Waldo and Mary Ethel Farley Cox and was of the Baptist faith. She graduated from Hinton High School in 1958, and from Concord University in 1962, with a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education. She later worked her way through graduate school, earning a master’s degree. She was a gifted, dedicated, and tireless educator, who taught first and third grades for 35 years in Jefferson and Summers counties. For most of her career, she taught at Jumping Branch Elementary School. She was stern, but beneath a sometimes gruff exterior was a tender, generous, loving heart...and a wonderful sense of humor.

      Mary Lou was a lifelong learner and a voracious reader. She was also a huge fan of many genres of music – her home frequently reverberated with the sound of a favorite CD. While her health permitted, Mary Lou sewed, quilted, crocheted, arranged flowers, and cultivated plants. Last, but certainly not least, she was a wonderful cook. In her younger days, she would fill the house with beautiful and delicious Christmas cookies, chocolate fudge, and fruit cake. Mary Lou was definitely a lady of many talents. She was dearly loved and will be greatly missed by her family.

      Mary Lou is survived by two sisters: Carolyn and husband, Steven Bennett, of Jumping Branch, who were devoted caregivers; Judith and husband, Terrell Martin, of Powhatan, VA. Three nieces survive: Susan and husband, Keith Richmond; Mary Kaye (who was named after Mary Lou and shared her birthday) and husband, Todd Ingold; Julia and husband, Rob Everhart. She is also survived by great-nephew, Dr. Nathan Richmond and wife, Eden; great-nieces, Lydia Richmond, Olivia Everhart, and Allison Everhart; and great-great nephew, Landon Richmond.

      Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, March 2, 2024, at Ronald Meadows Funeral Parlors & Cremation Care Center, with Pastors Tom and Dalene Coffman officiating. The family will receive friends for one hour prior to the service.

Interment at Restwood Memorial Gardens in Hinton, WV, will follow at a later date.

     The family extends their sincere appreciation to the staff of Summers Healthcare Center, who cared for Mary Lou during the past year.