Jo Ann Cox

Jo Ann Hughey Cox, a long-time resident of Shawnee, died Sunday the 25th of December (her most favorite of holidays) after a rather short-lived but hard-fought battle with dementia at Silverado Memory Care Community in Southlake, TX. Born to Clovis Andrew W. Hughey and Rosa Belle Williams Hughey on July 17th in 1934 in Oklahoma City, Jo Ann’s love for travel and quest for new adventures got its start early having attended thirteen different schools through her childhood years. She was married to Charles W. Cox in June of 1954 after a proposal while taking out the trash together on a warm summer night. For those who witnessed their life and love over these sixty-two plus years, you know just how sweetly fitting and appropo the occasion must have been. Jo Ann spent her adult years as a mother and grandmother, cutting at least a couple of generations out of her very same cloth: tough, independent, quick-witted, loud-laughing, free-thinking, rock-solid, dependable, steadfast, tender and strong. Horses were an unforgettable part of her life. A passion and expertise she passed onto many and a legacy that will live on far beyond her years. She, herself, active in the American Quarter Horse Association and quite accomplished in her own right as a Reserve Grand Champion with her gelding Wimpy Jo Diablo. Upon retirement, Jo Ann and Charlie relocated from Oklahoma City to Shawnee where they chased another new adventure together by building Charlie’s Palace - quite literally by hand alongside of Don Hayes and Uncle Cleo Edwards. This place became one of the most meaningful and memory-filled backdrops of their lives and the lives of countless more. Jo Ann is survived by her beloved husband, Charles W. Cox (Papa); daughter, Charla Ann Story; son-in-law, Steve L. Story; daughter, Dana Jo Cox; granddaughter, Chelsey Ann Cobbs; grandson, Chad Ryan Epley; grandson, Gregory Michael Bundy; granddaughter-in-law, Bronte Story; great-grandson, London Harvey Cobbs.  Also survived by niece, Carol Hughey and nephew, Clyde Lloyd Hughey and their children.   Memorial gifts may be made in her honor to the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation (OMRF), 825 NE 13th Street, Oklahoma City, OK 73104. Services will be held at Walker Funeral Service located at 201 E 45th St, Shawnee, OK 74804 on Friday, December 30th at 2:00pm.