1920
Jo
2012
Jo Willa Cox Parker
July 5, 1920 — December 31, 2012
Funeral Services for Jo Willa Cox Parker, age 92 of Bonham will be held at 10 am on Friday, January 4, 2013 at the Wise Funeral Home Chapel with burial to follow at Willow Wild Cemetery. Rev. Ricky Robbins of Wesley United Methodist Church and Rev. Normus Free of the First Congregational Methodist Church will officiate. Jo Willa passed away on Monday evening, Dec. 31, 2012 at Texoma Medical Center as the result of complications from a hip fracture.
Jo Willa was born July 5, 1920 in Randolph, Texas the third child to W.E. (Bill) Cox and Ada Josephine Sanders Cox. Jo Willa grew up on the family farm in Randolph until moving to the Bonham farm in 1930. She graduated from Bonham High School in 1938. She attended East Texas State Teachers College majoring in drama and education. Before completing her degree she accepted a teaching position at the Bartley Woods School and began a letter writing romance with E.C.Parker, Jr. who was in the US Army stationed in Hawaii. They married on May 25, 1945 at Clark Memorial Methodist Church. She also taught school at Ector. Jo Willa and EC started their family in 1947 and became a stay home mother that worked hard to do the best for all of her children and her husband.
In 1970, she became employed at the First Baptist Day Care Center and soon became the Director serving over 18 years. Jo Willa is well known for her caring and nurturing spirit in all areas of her life. She was also known for her wonderful food that she shared with many. She quietly contributed to the lives of many putting their needs before her own. She doted on her husband, children and especially her three granddaughters. After her retirement, she became a "volunteer "employee at her nephew's store. She truly enjoyed working with the public. She leaves behind a legacy of nurturing children, encouraging education to the highest level and caring for those that had less or in need. She has been a lifelong member of Clark Memorial United Methodist Church that is now known as Wesley United Methodist Church where she taught the children's Sunday school class for decades.
She was predeceased by her beloved son Joe Cox Parker in 2007. She was also preceded in death by her parents, Ella Ray Williams, sister, Glen Cox, brother and Matthew Cox Parker, an infant grandson.
She is survived by her husband of 67 years, E.C. Parker, Jr., Betsy Sterkel, daughter and husband Terry and Dana Nix and husband Charles, all of Bonham, Patricia Parker, daughter-in-law of Greenville, grandaughters and their husbands: Heather and Dave Mosrie of Asheville, North Carolina, Lauren and Wes Habluetzel of Greenville, and Katie and Stephen Hrncir of Beeville and four great grandchildren: Nicholas , Madeline and Mason Mosrie and Matthew Hrncir. She is also survived by her brother and his wife, Billy and Bobbie Cox and sister-in-laws Laudean Cox and Mozell Bragg, all of Bonham. Nieces and nephews include: Leldon Cox, Cindy Godbey, Sandra Smith, Press Cox, Parker McComas, LuAnn Keener-Mikenas, Julie Abston, Tom Bragg and John Bragg. She is also survived by a host of other loving relatives and friends and her special cat, "Mama Cat."
Pallbearers will be Leldon Cox, Press Cox, Parker McComas, Tom Bragg, John Bragg and Jerry Jones.
The family will receive friends at Wise Funeral Home from 4:30 to 7 pm on Thursday, January 3, 2013. Online guest register www.wisefuneralhome.com
The family would also like to express gratitude to North East Medical Home Health for the loving care that they have provided.
"It is not fancy hair, gold jewelry, or fine clothes that should make you beautiful. No, your beauty should come from within you—the beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit. This beauty will never disappear and it is worth very much to God." 1 Peter 3:3
Jo Willa was born July 5, 1920 in Randolph, Texas the third child to W.E. (Bill) Cox and Ada Josephine Sanders Cox. Jo Willa grew up on the family farm in Randolph until moving to the Bonham farm in 1930. She graduated from Bonham High School in 1938. She attended East Texas State Teachers College majoring in drama and education. Before completing her degree she accepted a teaching position at the Bartley Woods School and began a letter writing romance with E.C.Parker, Jr. who was in the US Army stationed in Hawaii. They married on May 25, 1945 at Clark Memorial Methodist Church. She also taught school at Ector. Jo Willa and EC started their family in 1947 and became a stay home mother that worked hard to do the best for all of her children and her husband.
In 1970, she became employed at the First Baptist Day Care Center and soon became the Director serving over 18 years. Jo Willa is well known for her caring and nurturing spirit in all areas of her life. She was also known for her wonderful food that she shared with many. She quietly contributed to the lives of many putting their needs before her own. She doted on her husband, children and especially her three granddaughters. After her retirement, she became a "volunteer "employee at her nephew's store. She truly enjoyed working with the public. She leaves behind a legacy of nurturing children, encouraging education to the highest level and caring for those that had less or in need. She has been a lifelong member of Clark Memorial United Methodist Church that is now known as Wesley United Methodist Church where she taught the children's Sunday school class for decades.
She was predeceased by her beloved son Joe Cox Parker in 2007. She was also preceded in death by her parents, Ella Ray Williams, sister, Glen Cox, brother and Matthew Cox Parker, an infant grandson.
She is survived by her husband of 67 years, E.C. Parker, Jr., Betsy Sterkel, daughter and husband Terry and Dana Nix and husband Charles, all of Bonham, Patricia Parker, daughter-in-law of Greenville, grandaughters and their husbands: Heather and Dave Mosrie of Asheville, North Carolina, Lauren and Wes Habluetzel of Greenville, and Katie and Stephen Hrncir of Beeville and four great grandchildren: Nicholas , Madeline and Mason Mosrie and Matthew Hrncir. She is also survived by her brother and his wife, Billy and Bobbie Cox and sister-in-laws Laudean Cox and Mozell Bragg, all of Bonham. Nieces and nephews include: Leldon Cox, Cindy Godbey, Sandra Smith, Press Cox, Parker McComas, LuAnn Keener-Mikenas, Julie Abston, Tom Bragg and John Bragg. She is also survived by a host of other loving relatives and friends and her special cat, "Mama Cat."
Pallbearers will be Leldon Cox, Press Cox, Parker McComas, Tom Bragg, John Bragg and Jerry Jones.
The family will receive friends at Wise Funeral Home from 4:30 to 7 pm on Thursday, January 3, 2013. Online guest register www.wisefuneralhome.com
The family would also like to express gratitude to North East Medical Home Health for the loving care that they have provided.
"It is not fancy hair, gold jewelry, or fine clothes that should make you beautiful. No, your beauty should come from within you—the beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit. This beauty will never disappear and it is worth very much to God." 1 Peter 3:3
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