Thelma Cox
Wood River |
Thelma "Lorraine" Cox, 97, passed away at 10 am, Tuesday, December 14, 2021, at Cedarhurst of Bethalto.
Born October 12, 1924, in Yankton, SD, she was the daughter of David Max Wishard and Edith (Kniffen) Knutsen and Morris Knutsen.
Lorraine moved from South Dakota to Chicago for nurses training, becoming an RN at Inglewood Hospital in 1945, she moved to California for a short time before settling in Wood River in 1946. She earned degrees from McKendree College in Social Services and Nursing Home Administration. She retired from the Illinois Department of Human Services after 22 years, serving as a caseworker and supervisor, in 1986.
She enjoyed crocheting, quilting, and many crafts. She also taught a doll class in her basement for 10 years.
She married Clifford "Wayne" Cox on September 7, 1947, in Wood River. He died on September 30, 1975.
Surviving are two sons, David Wayne Cox (Cindi Bolseth) of San Diego, CA, Timothy Djo (Janet) Cox of Wood River; and a sister, Joan Edith Bier of Lemon Grove, CA.
She was preceded in death by her parents; step-father; and sisters, Vesta Esser and Janet Stevens.
Graveside service and burial will be conducted at 1:30 pm, Monday, December 20 at Rose Lawn Memory Gardens in Bethalto.
Memorials may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital or Habitat for Humanity.
The family wishes to express their sincere thanks to the staff at Cedarhurst of Bethalto and Family Hospice of Belleville for the wonderful care that was given.
Marks Mortuary in Wood River is in charge of arrangements.
Mark's Mortuary
