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Funeral: 1 p.m. on Thursday, March 27, 2025, at Frank & Bright Funeral Home
Visitation: 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. on Thursday at the funeral home
Interment: Clay City Cemetery
Johnnie W. Cox, age 87, of Clay City, Illinois, passed away Thursday night, March 20, 2025, at Axiom Gardens Care Center in Flora.
He was born September 20, 1937, in Hobart, Oklahoma, the son of Thurman Henry and Ovie Francis (Rogers) Cox. On December 15, 1955, Johnnie married the love of his life, Shirley Dennis, in Salem, Illinois. Together they shared 59 wonderful years of memories. Shirley passed away on May 2, 2015.
Johnnie worked for the International Shoe Company, served as a foreman at Silgan Plastics, and made deliveries for Throgmorton-Powless Pharmacy. He also farmed. He enjoyed fishing and hunting, loved music—especially country and gospel—and sometimes even sang karaoke. He was a longtime mushroom hunter, liked reading and working on word search books, and spent some of his spare time building birdhouses. He once had a passion for riding his motorcycle. Johnnie wasn’t shy about his support for Donald J. Trump, and he was very proud of his Trump t-shirt and a signed photo, inscribed personally to him by the recently elected President.
He is survived by his daughter: Rhonda Baker-Sullens (Will Kirk) of Clay City; grandchildren: Denby Joe (Carla) Baker of Indianapolis, Indiana, and Kia Marie Baker (Jackie Jackson) of Clay City; 4 great-grandchildren: Khierra Beal and Weston Beal of Foss, Oklahoma, Takisha Baker of Kinmundy, and Michael R. Persinger of Flora; 3 great-great-grandchildren: Kinsley Jo Weston, Kace Eugene Weston, and River Stultz; siblings: Erma (Jack) Keele of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, Marie Dennis of Flora, and Vernon (Ruth) Cox of Springdale, Arkansas; an uncle: Calvin Cox of East St. Louis, and many cousins, nieces, nephews, and special friends.
He was preceded in passing by his wife: Shirley Cox (2015); father: Thurman Cox (1988); mother: Ovie Cox (2001); 3 brothers: Delbert Cox (2022), Ralph Wayne Cox (1995), and James Henry Cox (2018); and 3 sisters: Virginia Markley (2019), Nadine Hamilton (2021), and Mary Lou Cox (1951).
A funeral ceremony will be held at 1 p.m. on Thursday, March 27, 2025, at Frank & Bright Funeral Home in Flora. Interment will follow in Clay City Cemetery. A visitation will be held from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. on Thursday at the funeral home. Memorial donations are suggested to the Alzheimer’s Association, and these will be accepted through the funeral home. To share a condolence or memory, visit: www.frankandbright.com
Jun 2, 1931 - Apr 15, 2025
Aug 9, 1951 - Apr 13, 2025
Aug 17, 1947 - Apr 12, 2025
Nov 4, 1952 - Apr 11, 2025
May 29, 1928 - Apr 6, 2025
John was a very nice man. I enjoyed visiting with him.
Rest in Peace, John. Shirley and John were two of my mother's favorite neighbors. John and I had many a talk as friends also. Usually in his living room with some country music show playing on the tv. My mother used to be SO grateful that John would bring her mail to her every day and put it in a bag hanging on her front door. She really liked that. My deepest condolences to the family for the loss of such a great man.
John and Shirley were the best neighbors we ever had ! They were very kind and caring! Just lovely people! I am sure Shirley was waiting with Jesus at Heavens gate to welcome John home with her! Prayers for Rhonda, Denny and Kia!
I first met Shirley & John, at International Shoes, in 1971. They quickly became fast and forever friend's. We always enjoyed bumping into them around town, and visiting about old time's we spent together. They were the genuine article, alway's smiling, friendly, and never failing to take time to catch up. I'm sure John is beaming right now back with Shirley. Rest in Peace. old friend. Condolences to the family, and thank you for sharing them with us for many year's.
John and Shirley were good cousins! I will always remember their love, their sharing garden produce, and so much more.
Dear Marie, Sorry to hear of John passing I know you will miss him. I enjoyed every day I spent with him and loved his garden vegetables.
I know you aren't in any pain now and you have Aunt Shirley back in your arms. You guys became my grandparents when I didn't have any left. Will cherish the good memories of going to Golden Church, sitting on the front porch, out cutting wood....
We will miss you dearly and love always
We will miss you dearly. You were a beloved brother John. A great dad and a all around good person. So sorry for you're loss Ronda.
We will miss you dearly. You were a beloved brother John. A great dad and a all around good person. So sorry for you're loss Ronda.
Prayers for you during this difficult time.
Papaw was the most constant male figure in my life when I needed him the most. I absolutely THANK & APPRECIATE everything he did for me. Every ounce of my well being was instilled by this man. Every ounce of work ethic was given to me by this man. I learned how to hunt and fish and even have a little horseplay with him. All the basics and foundation was laid by this MAN.
Dear Dad…. Though Alzheimer's steals your mind, My love for you, you'll always find. I'll be here, your constant guide, Through the fog, where you hide. I'll hold your hand, and sing your song, And make sure you know you belong. Though memories fade, and time may fly, My love for you will never die. Dad, I cannot tell you how much I miss you, I cannot tell you how much I need you the final years together with you brought us so close and so many truths came out and I am so thankful for the time that we had together. When Will came into my life, I never seen a man so happy because you loved him so much and you showed that love and you kept telling me you have found the best one you have ever had and I did Dad because he was just like you. I want to thank you for being there for me, I want to thank you for always listening even when you didn’t understand, I want to thank you for the talks whenever you were able to, because I found out so much about you, and how you really felt about certain things and people. We learned so much about each other, and I’m so thankful to the Lord that you sent me to him because he’s the one who is getting me through this. You always told me Dad lay those burdens at his feet. Try not to pick them up but if you do Always lay them back down for him to handle. But the one thing you taught me was to forgive and let go. Thank you for being my dad. Thank you for taking the time out to have the patience with me as a daughter and thank you for making me laugh because you did a lot of that. I love you more. Your daughter Rhonda.
Grandpa, Saddens me to even write this. You had the most caring and loving soul of any man I have ever seen. I know Grandma has been patiently waiting for you, and now you can be complete again. I will forever hold our memories in my heart.
Rhonda and family, So very sorry about t your dad. Prayers🙏
Frank & Bright Funeral Home
and Cremation Services
500 North Main Street
Flora, Illinois 62839
Phone : (618) 662-2141
Fax: (618) 662-4600
Email: [email protected]
