Louella Cox

1928 - 2025

Louella Simpson Cox was born Oct. 13, 1928 on the family farm near Alton, Mo. she was the oldest child of Lewis A.W. and Ella Blankenship Simpson. She died on Nov. 4, 2025, at the West Vue Greenhouses.

Louella was married to Ralph Cox on Jan. 3, 1947. Before she married, she taught for a year in a two-room schoolhouse in the Irish Wilderness. Early in her marriage, she worked as a florist in Thayer, Mo., making wedding and funeral flowers out of their garage. They moved to West Plains, Mo., in 1961.

Lou enjoyed nature, travel, reading cookbooks, growing geraniums and having a good meal. Her trips included many areas of the U.S. including Hawaii, Western Europe and Russia, but her favorite place was her own backyard.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Leis and Ella Simpson, and her husband Ralph Cox.

She is survived by one daughter Mary Jo "Jody" Verrengia (Tom) of Miami, Fla., one brother Nelson Simpson of Alton, a double cousin Gary Simpson of Alton, a brother and sister-in-law Johnny and Barbara Cox of Thayer, and nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Ralph and Lou Cox Nursing Scholarship at MSU-WP, 128 Garfield Ave., West Plains.

There will be a visitation from 4 to 6 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 8, at Carter Funeral Home in West Plains. A graveside service for family will be held later.