Nell Thompson Cox

Smithville – Julia Nell Thompson Cox, 82, passed away Thursday, January 4, 2018, at North Mississippi Medical Center, Tupelo, after a brief illness. Nell was born on July 30, 1935 in Monroe County to the late Elmer Edward and Mary Kathleen Morgan Thompson.

Nell graduated from Wren High School in 1953 and Itawamba Junior College in 1955. Following school, she moved to Memphis and worked for Travelers Insurance Company until 1957, when she returned to Amory and became employed as a secretary at Gilmore Memorial Hospital. She worked at Gilmore Memorial for over 10 years. She also worked as a secretary to the superintendant at Amory Schools for 22 years before she retired in 1997. Nell married Jesse Collins Cox in 1966. Jesse died in the Smithville tornado in April 2011. During 44 years of marriage, she was a housewife and mother, and helped Jesse with their family business and bookkeeping. Nell was severely injured in the tornado that claimed Jesse’s life. A true fighter, she worked to overcome those injuries and returned to an active life.

A lifelong Methodist, Nell was a faithful active member of Smithville United Methodist Church. She loved her church. Nell also enjoyed her weekly card games. She was a member of “Shirley’s Girls,” a group of ladies that loved getting together. Nell was a great cook and will be remembered for her tea cakes and banana pudding. She loved her family, and was happy to help raise her grandchildren. Nell was a former Brownie Troop leader and was also passionate about the Full Tummy Project.

In her free time, she enjoyed easy listening music and classical music on TV. She loved to iron and clean her house. Nell was an avid reader and went to the Library every week. She was a very kind lady who overcame many obstacles in her life, earning her badge of honor as a “warrior.” Nell is finally reunited with Jesse, and they are rejoicing in Heaven. She will be dearly missed, but love lives on in her children and grandchildren.

Nell is survived by her son, Scott Collins Cox (Jill), Smithville; grandchildren, Karli Elizabeth Cox Trull (Josh), Elijah Collins Cox; great-grandson, Sam Trull; brothers, Roy Glenn Thompson (Rita), Gary Dale Thompson (Kim), Edward Eugene Thompson (Dot), Memphis, TN; sister, Lora Jane Thompson Burns; sisters-in-law, Beverly McFadden (Charles), Panama; Geneva Cox, Memphis; brother-in-law, Dick Cox (Edna), Smithville; and several nieces, nephews, and cousins.

She was preceded in death by her parents and husband.

Her Funeral Service will be held at 1PM, Saturday, January 6, 2018, at United Methodist Church in Smithville with Bro. Charles Coggins and Bro. Sammy Washburn officiating. Burial will follow in Young Memorial Gardens, Smithville, MS. Pallbearers will be Jeff Boozer, Sean Thompson, Shane Rost, Elijah Cox, Kristopher Holman, and Dawson Harville. Honorary pallbearers will be the members of Smithville UMC.

Visitation will be from 11AM-12:50PM at Smithville UMC.

Memorials can be given to the Full Tummy Project in care of Smithville United Methodist Church, or to St. Jude’s Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.

Memories and condolences can be shared with her family at eepicklefuneralhome.com