Janis Cox
Janis Ardella Doris Cox, nee Ferry, 73, of Troy, IL, passed away on Saturday, July 7, 2018 at Anderson Hospital, Maryville, IL.
Janis, not Janice, began her Earthly reign on April 2, 1945 with her coronation as Queen of the Nursery, of St. Elizabeth's Hospital in Belleville, IL. She was born to Wilma and Bee Ferry of Millstadt, IL, in the midst of WWII, she finally met her father at nine months of age after he returned home from the Pacific. Janis began playing piano at the early age of three; this instrument was her constant companion, accompanying her with music throughout her entire life. Janis had three great loves, God, Family, and Music.
Janis was a dutiful daughter of Christ. She was baptized, confirmed, and married in the Lutheran Faith at Trinity Lutheran Church in Millstadt, IL. She began playing the organ for church at the age of twelve; most Sundays she was racing up the balcony stairs just as the bells were ringing to announce the beginning of service. She served God through her talent as the sole organist for Hope Lutheran Church in Highland for thirty years and made her children suffer through countless hours of choir practice.
Janis was lucky to be part of a huge extended family. She loved her parents, grandparents, brothers, children, aunts, uncles, and cousins more than anything else on Earth. She always attended family gatherings and her love for people was a true gift to this world. She doted on her children and was a very loving mother. Janis had an open-door policy and served as a surrogate mother to the friends of her children. There was always a standing invitation to her home and always room for one more at the table. Her generous, friendly, and loving nature will be missed but never forgotten.
Music was the great love of Janis' life. She was an accomplished pianist and organist, and she would accompany her children throughout solo ensemble contest, talent shows, and variety shows that she would make them enter.
Janis was preceded in death by her parents, Olyseen "Bee" Henry Ferry and Wilma Mary Sophie Ferry, nee Hettenhausen; her brothers, Harlan Henry Ferry and Larry Bee Al Ferry; and her husband, Carl Jerome Cox.
Surviving are her brothers, Roger (Lynn) Ferry and Clark (Patty) Ferry; her children, Michael (Anna McReaken) Cox, Jodi (Robert Heck) Cox, and Kelly (Craig) Tyler; the lights of her world, her three grandchildren, Mallory Ruth Nevins, Sawyer Bee Olyseen Heck, and Dexter Owen Tyler; niece, Alyssa Ferry; nephew, Addison Ferry; her lifelong friends, Kathye Douglas and Donna Reek; as well as aunts, cousins, and friends.
In lieu of customary remembrances, the family requests with gratitude that memorial contributions be directed to EFIWE, 135 Springer Ave, Edwardsville, IL 62025, an organization that collects college textbooks to send to Africa. For more information, please access our website,
www.leesmanfuneralhome.com.
Services: Visitation will be Thursday, July 12, 2018, from 4 to 8 p.m., and Friday, July 13, 2018, from 10 to 11 a.m. at Leesman Funeral Home in Millstadt, IL. Services will be held Friday, July 13, 2018, at 11 a.m., with Rev. Brad Thomas officiating.
Interment will follow in Mt. Evergreen Cemetery in Millstadt, IL.
LEESMAN FUNEARL HOME, Millstadt, IL.
