Connie L. Cox

CHARLESTON, IL – Connie Lee Cox, age 64 of Hutton Township, rural Charleston, Illinois, passed away on Friday, May 4, 2012 at Sarah Bush Lincoln Health Center.  Visitation for family and friends will be held this evening, Monday, May 7, 2012 from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. at Adams Funeral Chapel in Charleston.  Services honoring and celebrating his life will begin at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, May 8, 2012 at the Funeral Chapel with Pastor Scott Sims officiating.  Interment will follow in the Enon Cemetery, rural Ashmore, Illinois.   It is requested that memorial gifts in his honor be made to the Peoples Bank and Trust for an education fund to be established for his grandchildren.  Gifts may be left on the memorial table at the visitation or service, or mailed to Adams Funeral Chapel, 2330 Shawnee Drive, Charleston, IL 61920.  Connie was born on March 3, 1948 on the family farm in Hutton Township, the son of the late Marion and Dorothy (Bower) Cox.  He married Rayanna Lawson in Mattoon on March 3, 1973.  He is survived by Rayanna, his loving wife and best friend of thirty-nine years; a daughter, Amanda Cox of Las Vegas, Nevada; a son, Chris Cox and wife Amanda of Hutton Township; four grandchildren, Bailey, Clara, Ethan and Raylin Cox; his sister, Martha Doty and husband Steve of Arden, North Carolina; and several nieces and nephews and their families.Connie was a 1966 graduate of Charleston High School and served with the U.S. Army National Guard.  He was a self-employed trucker and still lived on the family farm in Hutton Township.  He was a member of the Coles County Farm Bureau and attended Salisbury Church.Connie had previously worked hard on the family farm and was currently a truck driver - but he also knew how to enjoy life.  He possessed an easy-going personality that was fun-loving and upbeat and enjoyed teasing others often to get a reaction.  He also knew how to talk…and talk….and talk – it was often said that he never knew a stranger and could certainly carry his end of a conversation.  Connie also loved his horses and enjoyed being in the saddle – horseback riding was one of his favorite things to do.  His family was always his priority and he loved them dearly.  He felt extremely blessed to have his grandchildren nearby as they shared a close and special relationship.  Connie was well thought of and had numerous friends.  They, along with his family, will hold dear their many fond memories and will always appreciate the countless ways in which he enriched their lives.