Louella Simpson Cox

Louella Simpson Cox.
October 13, 1928-November 4, 2025

Louella Simpson Cox was born October 13, 1928 on the family farm near Alton, Missouri. She was the oldest child of Lewis A.W. and Ella Blankenship Simpson. She died on November 4th, 2025 in the West Vue Greenhouses.

Louella was married to Ralph Cox on January 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, making wedding and funeral flowers out of their garage. They moved to West Plains in 1961.

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

She was preceded in death by her parents, Lewis and Ella Simpson, and her husband, Ralph Cox. She is survived by one daughter, Mary Jo (Jody) Verrengia (Tom) of Miami, Florida. 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, 128 Garfield Avenue, West Plains, MO.

There will be a visitation on Saturday, November 8th from 4:00-6:00 at Carter Funeral Home in West Plains.

A graveside service for family will be held later.