Shirley Fae “Jones” Cox, 84, passed away Tuesday, July 28, 2020, at 11:30 p.m., at the Colorado Veterans Community Center in Rifle, Colorado, following her battle with Alzheimer’s and diabetes. She was a loving wife, mother of three, grandmother of four and a great-grandmother to eight.
Shirley was born to Sam Jones and Bessie Fae “Wood” Jones on June 10, 1936, in Corpus Christi, Texas. She was the third child of four; Ray Jones, Everett Jones and Janie “Jones” Chandler. Shirley graduated from Rangely High School in 1955 and lettered in band (she played the trombone). She met Mace Manzo Cox, while working at Nichols Grocery Store, in Rangely and they married on June 16, 1956, in Rangely, Colorado. They moved to the Cox Ranch due north of Hwy. 13 (MM 25). Mace and Shirley lived on the family ranch, raising sheep, until they moved to Rangely in 1963 where they made their home.
Shirley and Mace lived by the hospitality code of the West. No one was turned away, or left their home without a good cup of coffee, a joke or two and more times than not, with a full belly. Shirley was an avid reader, enjoyed music and watching Days of our Lives. She was a sheep herder, cattle rancher, hay hauler and all around chuckwagon master. After Mace passed (March 17, 1993) Shirley began taking computer classes with her daughter-in-law Leana, at Colorado Northwestern Community College. Shirley loved college so much that she talked her best friend Patty Powell into enrolling the following semester. They took a number of classes then decided to get a degree in medical transcribing and minor in art. She graduated in May 1997 with a certificate of medical transcriptionist and Associates of Art degree; which made her ever so proud. However, this carrier path wasn’t prevalent in a rancher’s life, but painting was. Donna Wardell taught the classes and Shirley soared. She loved painting nature pictures, big game and other wildlife with beautiful scenery in the background. She just loved nature. Shirley also sold a number of paintings and won the contest for the best “Sheep Dog Trials Poster” for Meeker, Colorado, for three years in a row and few thereafter.
Times do change though. From Yahtzee, Uno and Skip-Bo tournaments at the ranch to traveling around working with her sister Janie and brother-in-law Phil at his job sites in Oregon and Washington. Then settling down in Fruita, Colorado, to help out. She also worked at Colorado Power Sports in Grand Junction. She helped everyone with caring for their dogs, cats, birds, and feeding livestock on Glade Park for Loretta and Rich. She spent a lot of her time playing Bingo in Las Vegas, Nevada, where she did win a bit of money over those 13-years, before that dreadful stroke on Mother’s Day, 2016.
The Cox family would like to give special recognition to Beverley for her dedication and love shown to their mom these past four years. She was there every day when we couldn’t be. Her love and generosity will never be forgotten.
Shirley’s survived by sons: Wade R. (Linda Jean Padilla) Cox and their two sons Jason W. (Marybel Flores) Cox and daughters Kaitlyn (13) and Isabella (10) of Rangely, Colorado, and Dustin G. (Mandie Brasfield) Cox and children Ethan (9) and Zoey (7) of Vernal, Utah; Dean R. (Leana Horton) Cox of Rangely, Colorado, and their children Joy and Les Logan of Montrose, and Kirsty Faye (Kaydan) Holmstead and sons Locke Dee and Zaydan of Taylorville, Utah. Her great-granddaughters Makayla (18), Shayla (17), Crysta (14) and Alayna (11) Logan of Montrose, Colorado. Brother Ray (Earlene) Jones and their two daughters Sandy (Paul) Cruz and Sherri (Ron) DeRose, all of Grand Junction. Sister Janie (Phil) Chandler and Beverley Oliver (Roy) Hemme and sons Michael and Ricky Oliver of Fruita. Loretta (Rich) of Orchard Mesa, Colorado, and son Brian Rector of Rangely, Colorado.
Shirley is preceded in death by Mace M. Cox (1993) and their daughter Dorothy Faye (1960), grandson Zack Logan Cox (2017); parents Sam and Bessie Jones, in-laws Luther and Effie Cox, brother Everett and wife Lu Jones.
Words cannot express how much we all thank you for the expressions of sympathy during our moments of sorrow. We are truly grateful for your friendship and support…The Cox Family.
