On Friday, March 17, 2023 we lost our beloved sister, mother, grandmother, and friend Deborah E. Cox. Debbie was born on May 28, 1952 in Portsmouth, Ohio to Elmer and Betty Justice. She was the sister of Ron, Richard, David, Steve, and Dale. Debbie’s bright and charming personality lit the lives of all who came in contact with her.
Debbie found the love of her life in Donald Cox. They were married on September 25, 1971 and have enjoyed a beautiful 51 years of marriage. Together they raised two children, Kelly and Adam.
Debbie also has eight grandchildren and one great grandchild, and she would be the first to tell you that they were who she loved most in this world. Her grandchildren are Chase (Brooke), Cheyenne, Ally, Jake, Owen, Baylee, Wyatt, and Ava. Her great granddaughter is Myiah. Her favorite days were spent with her family. Whether that was inside playing board games, baking desserts, or outside by the pool, it did not matter. She cherished her memories and moments with family and enjoyed collecting and framing pictures of her loved ones to hang in her living room.
But Debbie was a mother and grandmother to many more than her own. During Kelly and Adam’s childhood, many of the neighborhood kids came to see her in Cox’s Holler and saw her as a second mom. But it did not stop when her kids grew up. Throughout all her years as a New Boston native, she never shied away from giving motherly love, advice, or a home cooked meal to anyone that needed it. Debbie would always say “none of her babies would ever go without,” and when she said that, she meant ALL of her babies.
Debbie was an empathetic, caring, and accepting soul who loved all walks of life. She was deeply compassionate for others and was selfless through all of her days. Her smile was contagious and her wit could fill any room with laughter. She could make anyone feel cared for and always went above and beyond for anyone and everyone that needed it, no questions asked. Debbie’s pure, honest, and spirited soul could never possibly be captured by words alone. To anyone who knew Debbie, they would describe her as one of a kind.
In her free time, she was a dedicated member of the Shriners and Hillbillies. She loved helping out however she could, and was committed to bettering the lives of the children in the Shriners Hospital. She always looked forward to events spent with her friends of the Shiners and treasured her trips taken yearly to Hillbilly days.
Debbie is preceded in death by her parents and her brother David.
Debbie is survived by her husband Don, her brothers Ron, Richard, Steve, and Dale, her two children, her children in law, Kelly Bailey and Lori McNeil, and her eight grandchildren and one great grandchild.
The family is beyond appreciative for all of the kind words and support through this time. Debbie will be deeply missed.
