Mary Leta Bell Cox, 91, a resident of Valley Bend, died at home on Tuesday, May 27, 2008.
She was born Jan. 31, 1917, at Elkwater, to the late Charles Howard and Susan Ann Fretwell Bell.
She married Charles Goff “Coxie” Cox on July 23, 1938. He preceded her in death in 1998, just short of their 60th wedding anniversary.
Leta and Coxie were the parents of three children, 11 grandchildren and 24 great-grandchildren, all of whom survive. Leta also had a number of nieces and nephews.
Her son, Charles William Cox and wife, Mary Lou, live in Mill Gap, Va. Their children and grandchildren are Charles William Jr. and Deena Cox and Emily, Olivia, Evan and Aidan of Poughquag, N.Y.; Geoffrey G. Goff Cox and Jaden of Monterey, Va.; Mary Rebekah and Allan Hadfield and Willa Bell, Mary Bird, Charlotte and Susanna of Staunton, Va.; Judith Anne and John Bendel and Zoe Leta, Cullen, Rhea and Tessa of McDowell, Va. Another son, Robert Earl Cox and wife, Diana, live in Eighty-four, Pa. His children and grandchildren are Jill and John Washabaugh, and John, Stephanie, Eddie, Andy and Ashley of Canonsburg, Pa.; Robert E. Cox Jr. of Deep Creek, Md.; Jeff and Alicia Cox and Amelia and Olivia of Morgantown; Debbi and Chris Mauser and Kaylee, Ethan and Evan of Houston, Pa., and Ben Cox of Morgantown. A daughter, Rebecca Sue Magee and husband, Robert, live in Blacksburg, Va. Her children and grandchildren are Christy Wohlford of Richmond, Va., and Candey and Andy Grice and Katie and Drew of Strasburg, Pa. A brother, Charles Howard Bell and wife, Ethelyn, reside in Valley Bend.
Two sisters, Leah Bell Heckle Hammer and Violet “Bobbie” Bell Davies preceded her in death.
Mrs. Cox was a beautician in Valley Bend for many years, operating Leta’s Beauty Shop prior to her retirement. She was a member of the Beverly Presbyterian Church, John Hart Chapter Daughters of the American Revolution and a former member of Randolph Chapter No. 74 Order of the Eastern Star.
At the request of the deceased, her remains will be cremated. A memorial service will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, June 7, at the Beverly Presbyterian Church with Jo Ann Glasser and William Cox officiating. Memorial contributions may be made to the Randolph County Historical Society, Box 1164, Elkins, W.Va. 26241 or the Beverly Presbyterian Church, Beverly, W.Va. 26253 in memory of Mrs. Cox. The Tomblyn Funeral Home of Elkins is in charge of the arrangements for Mary Leta Bell Cox. Condolences may be expressed to the family at www.tomblynfuneralhome.com [from The Inter-Mountain].