Shirley Arlene Thurber

Shirley Arlene Cox-Thurber, 75, entered peace and rest on Tuesday, February 17, 2026, from Community Hospital in Anderson following an extended illness.

She was born on July 1,1950, in Anderson to Carl and Hazel (Johnson) Beemer and has resided in Alexandria most of her lifetime. She was a graduate of Alexandria-Monroe High School-Class of 1968. Shirley loved the "little ones" and thoroughly enjoyed working at the former Little Lamb Day Care Center in Alexandria. She was a member of the Alexandria Eagles Lodge Auxiliary. Because of her love for children, Shirley was a Den Mother for a Cub Scout troop. She was an immaculate housekeeper and home decorator, and she will always be remembered as a good listener. What truly set Shirley apart, however, was her kind and warm giving spirit. When her health allowed, she freely gave of her time to assist seniors in the community. "Retail therapy" also brought her great pleasure, but she was known to often give away the items that she bought. She would have given everything she had to the children in her life, and one of her greatest joys was caring for Phenex as an infant when she could not work outside.

Survivors:

• Husband - John Thurber (married July 3, 2000)

• 2 Sons -Troy (Shelly) Cox of Greenwich, Ohio; and John Thurber II of Davenport, Iowa

• 4 Daughters - Laura (Kerry) Jackson and Jennifer Perry all of Alexandria; Angela (Brandon) Smiley of Ridgeville; and Anne (Joshua) Otto of Anderson

• Grandchildren - Bethany Bracken, Braden Cox, Jordan (Zach) McClure, Alexis Jackson, Paul (Chelsi) Jackson, Jordan (Sarah) Jackson, Lillian Thurber, Grayson Thurber, Nigel Thurber, Rebekah (Mason) Breeden, Bailey (Sean) Fair, Alexandra Perry, Jenna Otto, Aubree (Jason) Perry, Willow Basso, Domonic Cox, and Kholt Cox

• Great-Grandchildren - Phenex, Maya, Case, Quinn, Jason, Madison, Payson, Jaxson, Harper, Shiloh, Kohen, Kayden, and Aria

• Several nieces and nephews, including Jim Levi (Tammy) and great-nephew, Wade Levi

She was preceded in death by her parents; her step-father, Harold Holliday; a son, Trent Cox; and two sisters; Bonnie Crawford and Janet Absher.

Services honoring Shirley's life and legacy will take place at 2:00pm on Friday, February 20, 2026, in the Owens Funeral Home, 412 North Harrison Street, Alexandria, with Pastor Jenny Jackson officiating. Interment will follow in Park View Cemetery in Alexandria. The Thurber family will receive friends after 12:00pm on Friday in the funeral home prior to the service.

Memorial contributions are suggested to the American Lung Association with envelopes available at the funeral home.

Online condolences: www.owensmemorialservices.com