Rita Verl C. Cox

Cox, Rita(May 10, 1922 – July 20, 2014)

Rita Verl C. Cox, age 92, passed away July 20, 2014, in St. George, Utah. She was born on May 10, 1922, in Hurricane, Utah during a snowstorm. She was the third of 10 children.  She lived in Cane Beds, Arizona; LaVerkin, Utah; Mesa, Arizona; Cedar City, Utah; Las Vegas, Nevada; and St. George, Utah.

Rita worked in several occupations in her life including cashier for Boots Cox Dairy. She moved from part-time to working full-time when Boots asked Rita to marry him. Rulon Barney (Boots) Cox and Rita were married in the St. George Temple, August 5, 1967. She then devoted her life to running Boots Cox Dairy, with him for many years, until they retired.

Rita loved Boots’ children and grandchildren and was so grateful for their lives and always bragged about them. When a grandchild was born on her birthday, how elated she was, and always told the story. They welcomed each grandchild with great joy and did everything to include everyone in their lives. Rita and Boots took their entire family to the annual Dixie Roundup Rodeo, buying tickets for everyone.

Rita and Boots were able to vacation some, in spite of the Dairy. She was so proud of the souvenirs they acquired on these trips.

One of the favorite things that Rita and Boots enjoyed doing was being greeters in the St. George 16th Ward and only missed a few times because of illness. Rita also provided the sacrament bread for 25 years in the 16th ward. Rita loved going to the Temple and always called it the house of the Lord.

Rita was a devoted daughter taking care of her parents for many years before they passed on, making sure they were provided with all the love and comfort any parent deserved.

Charity and love fit her personality. Rita loved everyone and never judged anyone. Family was her life and was mother, grandmother, aunt or sister to anyone she could fit in her life. Her motto in life was, “be good natured even if it kills you.” She loved the gospel and the Lord with all her heart. She was such a good example for goodness to anyone who knew her. She loved work and always did her best to give life her all in everything she did. Rita loved crocheting, was an excellent seamstress and candy maker.

She is survived by her stepchildren, Walter (Jeanenne) Cox, Wendell A. (Pam) Cox, DeLoa (Michael) Keenan; stepdaughter-in-law, Sue Stout Cox; sisters, Melva C. Spencer, Geneva C. Tanner; many grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews who dearly love her. She is preceded in death by her parents; husband, Boots; stepson, Mervyn Cox; and 4 brothers and 3 sisters.

The family would like to express their appreciation for the care Rita received from the staff at Dixie Hospice and the Meadows.

Funeral services

  • Funeral services will be Tuesday, July 22, at 11 a.m. in the Spilsbury Mortuary Chapel, 110 S. Bluff, St. George, Utah.
  • Interment will be in the St. George City Cemetery.

Arrangements are made under the direction of Spilsbury Mortuary, telephone 435-673-2454. Friends and family are invited to sign Rita’s guestbook at www.spilsburymortuary.com.

 

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1 Comment

  • Robert Shrewsbury July 22, 2014 at 5:59 pm

    My Aunt Rita was one of the finest people I have ever known. She was never afraid to help people and did a lot of this.

    May she rest in forever Peace!

    Sincerely, Robert Shrewsbury
    Nephew

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