Melba A. Cox

Melba A. Cox, 86, of Cobden, and formerly of Plant City, Fla., died at The Anchor of the Voyage in Marion on Dec. 10, 2023.  

She was born on Aug. 4, 1937, in Granite City, the daughter of Lee Edward and Elizabeth Faye Turner Trugillo.  

She married James L. Cox on May 18, 2002, in Tampa, Fla. He preceded her in death on Nov. 15, 2020.

She retired from Walmart in Plant City, Fla., after 25 years of service. She loved going on cruises and relaxing on the beach. She and her husband loved to travel, especially in their motor home, making memories in new places each year.

She is survived by her children, Cindy Fearria of The Villages, Fla., Debbi (Darwin) Little of Hickory, Ky., Paul Pace of Harrisburg, Ronda Murphy of Meridian, Miss., Ronald Ham of Paducah and Becky (Adam) Duty of Cobden;  grandchildren Sandy Roye of Fayetteville, N.C., Matt (Jennifer) Colboth of Marion, Joshua Little of Marion, Paul David Pace of De Soto, Chris (Amber) Palmer of Creal Springs, Brandy (Sam) Gulley of Harrisburg, Melissa Taylor of Charleston, Melinda Collins of Brandon, Fla., Bryce Ham of Marion, Felisha Bishop of Meridian, Miss., Porsha Bishop of Columbus, Ohio, Ian (Kasie) Ham of Marion, Kyle (Jordyn) Campbell of San Marcos, Texas, Dylan Duty of Cobden and Hannah Wade of Cobden, and Gabby Mitchell of Hickory, Ky.; 21 great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren; and a brother, Donnie Smith of San Antonio, Texas.  

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, James L. Cox; brothers Lee Trugillo and Bill Rose; a sister, Virginia Benson; a daughter, Anita Carnley; and an infant grandson Jason.

Family and friends are invited to attend a Celebration of Life on Saturday, Dec. 30, from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. at the home of Adam and  Becky Duty, 300 Bee Tree Ln., Cobden, Ill. 62920.

To view the obituary and to leave online condolences for the family, visit www.rendlemanhilemanfh.com. 

Rendleman & Hileman Funeral Home in Cobden is in charge of arrangements.