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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
Sep 20, 1937 - Mar 20, 2025
Dec 4, 1933 - Mar 19, 2025
Feb 27, 1954 - Mar 17, 2025
Jun 10, 1986 - Mar 14, 2025
Feb 22, 1950 - Mar 12, 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.
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]
