Betty Cox

Betty Louise Showalter Adkins Cox, 85 of Beardstown, passed away at St. John’s Hospital in Springfield in November 25, 2014.She was born July 25, 1929 in Beardstown, on the centennial celebration of Beardstown, to William Henry and Ida Mae Douglas Showalter, thus making them miss the parade. She married John William Adkins, Jr. on November 20, 1947 in Beardstown. He preceded her in death on March 19, 1951. She later married Hubert “Ivan” Cox II on October 22, 1955 at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Beardstown, and he preceded her in death on March 4, 1971. She is survived by one daughter Connie (husband Richard) Watkins of Beardstown; a step-daughter Karen (husband Allen) Beard of Beardstown; three granddaughters Kelly (husband Patrick) Cagle, Nicole Beard, and Erica (Mike Cave) Watkins; three great grandchildren Nick and Neal Beard, and Madilyn Cave; and numerous nieces and nephews including a special niece Jean Showalter Moeller, who she, and her sister Jane Showalter Ramsey, who preceded her in death, were raised in her home as her sisters. She was preceded in death by her siblings Dorothy "Do-do" McGuire, Alberta Pauline "Pene" Wiseman, Leo "Bud" Showalter, and one grandson Timothy Allen Beard.Mrs. Cox graduated from Beardstown High School in the class of 1948. She was a member of St. John’s Lutheran Church and took great pride that Pastor Douglas Evenson baptized her great granddaughter Madelyn Cave to make the fifth generation to be baptized into St. John’s. She was lifelong beautician graduating from Lockwood School of Beauty Culture in Jacksonville on March 12, 1952, and her daughter followed in her footsteps. Mrs. Cox was an original member of the BPW Investment Club (The Beardstown Ladies), that her granddaughter Kelly is now a member of. She loved her family and her church.Funeral services will be held at 11 AM Monday, December 1, 2014 at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Beardstown. Burial will be in the Beardstown City Cemetery. The family will meet with friends from 3-6 PM Sunday at Colwell Memorial Home in Beardstown and one hour prior to the services at the church on Monday. Memorials have been suggested to St. John’s Lutheran Church or Cass County Food Pantry.