May 26, 1928 — Aug. 29, 2018
Our beloved Mom, Beth Atkin Cox, passed away of natural causes the morning of Aug. 29 at age 90 in Prescott Valley, Arizona, where she lived with her daughter, Janet Cox Legler.
Beth was born May 26, 1928, in St. George, Utah, the fourth daughter and youngest child of goodly parents, William and Lula Palmer Atkin. Beth attended Dixie schools, finishing with an associate degree in humanities. Beth enjoyed school and was a good student. She especially enjoyed her participation in band and orchestra.
On Aug. 26, 1948, she married John Bevalere Cox, whom she had known all her life, in the The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints’ St. George temple. Together they had six children. Those children gave them over 30 grandchildren and many great grandchildren.
Beth was a strong woman — witty, optimistic, and hard-working. She was kind and fair but did not suffer fools gladly. Beth’s last year or two were difficult, but she never lost her capacity for witty observation and repartee. It was a point of great personal satisfaction that she had always had a job since she was a young girl, cleaning a house for a neighbor.
Beth worked for more than 20 years as a baker in the Mesa Public School System. This job allowed her to be home when her children were home, which was important to her. Additionally, she was justly famous for her wedding cakes. Beth baked and decorated wedding cakes for receptions all over the Salt River Valley in Arizona. Beth was generous with her baking talents, frequently giving small decorated cakes to friends and neighbors. Her honor and integrity at work and in her cake business were unquestioned.
Beth’s talents also included making and sharing candy and hand-dipped chocolates. Her 1 pound boxes of mixed chocolates and candies traveled far and wide at Christmas time, as well as satisfying a craving for the best of many a sweet-tooth in her neighborhood.
Beth was an artist in every work she took in hand. She knitted, embroidered, sewed and crocheted. Many of her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren were happy recipients of her afghans. She taught her skills to her daughters, who are happy to carry on her traditions.
Beth loved birds, especially hummingbirds. She loved cowboy music. Mom had a saying for everything. Sometimes she would sing a snatch of a popular song as her commentary. She loved the red rocks of her native Dixie. The red Sugarloaf, with its white “Dixie,” against a blue sky decorated with white clouds, was her favorite view. Though she lived away from St. George for 45 years, she never stopped thinking of herself as a “misplaced Utahn.” She and Bev were happy to be able to move back to St. George when they retired. They had 16 good years living in a house halfway between her childhood home and his childhood home.
Beth was a lifelong member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She served in many capacities. She loved the young primary children, managing the kitchen at Camp Lo-Mia for her stake’s girls camp and relief society bazaars. She was a faithful visiting teacher.
Our undying gratitude goes to Janet, who cared for Mom during her last years. Janet’s loving and unselfish dedication to Mom was without condition.
Beth is preceded in death by her husband, John Bevalere Cox, her parents and her siblings: Floyd, Velva and Sylva. She is survived by her sister, Luen; her children: Kenneth Russell (June), Paul Atkin, Jolene Matheson (Phil), Janet Legler (Ivan), Glen Allen (Linda), Cynthia Cottam (Tim) and numerous grand- and great-grandchildren.
Funeral services
- Graveside services will be held Wednesday, Sept. 5, at 10 a.m. at the St. George Cemetery, 650 E. Tabernacle St.
Arrangements have been entrusted to the care of Metcalf Mortuary, 435-673-4221. For condolences, full obituary and funeral listings, please visit Metcalf Mortuary online.