Shirley Cox

Shirley Mae Cox (nee Calvert), 91, of Belleville, IL, born on October 3, 1934, in East St. Louis, IL, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, January 27, 2026, at her home.

Shirley was a devout Christian. She was saved the same night as her husband in a small Pentecostal church in Kansas City, MO at about age 15. She remained a Christian all the rest of her life. She enjoyed reading and studying her Bible and watching Christian programming. She loved to talk about the Lord and was very knowledgeable. It was common to be shopping with her and have her just start singing a gospel song for all to hear. She had a beautiful voice.

She was a fantastic cook and kept a meticulous house. She had a very outgoing personality and never met a stranger. She enjoyed traveling and going out to eat at restaurants with friends, family and fellow church parishioners. A night out to eat with Shirley could easily last 3 or 4 hours filled with fun stories from the past and memories. She was a perfectionist and was always dressed and groomed to the nines.

She cherished her family and prayed without ceasing for them. Dick was the love of her life. They relied on each other through good times and bad and were each other’s best friend. Shirley’s optimistic spirit and joy for life will be missed by all who knew and loved her but will live on through our wonderful memories of her.

Shirley was preceded in death by her parents, Lloyd and Bernice Calvert (nee Combs); loving husband, Dick D. Cox; two brothers, Robert Calvert, George Calvert; and two grandchildren, Patrick Joseph Jason Cox, and Blair Panzica.

Surviving Shirley are her children, Sherryl Sue (Tom) DeMond of O’Fallon, IL; DeWayne Cox of Belleville, IL; Keith (Kim) Cox of Carbondale, IL; 7 grandchildren; and 9 great-grandchildren.

Memorials may be made in Shirley’s honor to The O’Fallon Food Pantry, 801 E. State Street, O’Fallon, IL 62269. Condolences may be extended to the family online at www.schildknechtfh.com.

Private funeral and burial services will be held for the family.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Schildknecht Funeral Home.

Obit Provided By:
Schildknecht Funeral Home