Shirley Cox

Shirley Maxine (Crane) Cox was born in Sitka, Kansas on July 19, 1935. She passed away at South Wind Hospice in Pratt, Kansas on November 11, 2014 at the age of 79.

Shirley was the youngest of ten children born to Raymond and Estella (Fox) Crane. She attended elementary schools in Sitka and Ashland and attended Ashland High School where she met the love of her life Donald D. Cox. They were married November 20, 1951 in Ashland, Kansas.

Shirley was a devoted wife and mother. She enjoyed sewing, gardening, playing bridge and golfing. Shirley was an exceptional gardener and won numerous awards for her beautiful roses. She spent a few years as a local celebrity in Beaver, Oklahoma as the host of the 12 O’clock news as well as being a secretary at Evans Law and Vandenburg Auction Company. Shirley was a breast cancer survivor and absolutely adored spending time with her grandchildren, great grandchildren and her great great grandchild.

Survivors include her husband Don of the home, daughter Sheryl Lynn McPhail and Steve Preisner of Ashland and Michael Glenn Cox and wife Mary of Carlinville, Illinois. Five grandchildren: Michael Cox and wife Erin of Sidney, Nebraska, Melissa (McPhail) Cramer and husband Curt of Ashland, Mendi  (Cox) Tieman and husband Brian of Carlinville, Illinois , Jeremy McPhail and wife Allison of Ashland and Michaela Cox of Carlinville, Illinois. Great grandchildren include Montana, Austin, Paityn, Hayden, McKenzie, Landen, Megan, Piper and Kade with one great-great grandchild Molly. Shirley is also survived by one sister Anna Mae (Crane) Webb of Ashland. She will be missed by many nieces, nephews, family and friends.

A graveside memorial service will be held on November 26, 2014 at 2:00PM in Highland Cemetery in Ashland, Kansas. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Ashland Golf Course, P.O. Box 398 Ashland, Kansas 67831 or South Wind Hospice, 496 Yucca Lane Pratt, Kansas 67124