COX, Della Marie (Friend) (Hebb) - b. September 23, 1915 - d. May 29, 2005

[Teresa]

Della Marie Cox passed away on Sunday, May 29, 2005, at the Howard Twilight Manor in Howard, Kan. She was 89 years of age and a long time resident of Howard. Della was born on Sept. 23, 1915 near Howard to Wiley Michael and Gertie (Richardson) Friend. She attended Lower Paw Paw rural school and grew to womanhood in the Howard area.

Della was employed at Forbes Air Force Base in Topeka during World War II before moving to Erie, Kan. On June 1, 1948 she married Millard Albert Cox at Howard, Kan. They farmed northeast of Howard for several years until moving back to Howard in 1956. Della was a devoted wife and mother and dedicated her life to caring for her family. She also served as a Cub Scout leader when her children were young. Her husband preceded her in death on June 29, 1986.

Della enjoyed playing the harmonica and guitar, as well as singing. She enjoyed growing flowers and spent time knitting, crocheting and sewing clothes for her family. On June 17, 1989, she became one of Jehovah's Witnesses and currently attended the Kingdom Hall of Elk Falls.

She is survived by a son, Ivan Hebb, San Diego, Calif.; a daughter, Julia Brenner, Howard; a daughter-in-law, Gayla Cox, Sedan; a brother, Vern Friend, Howard; six grandchildren, six great grandchildren, two step great grandchildren and five great-great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband; a son, John; two sisters and one brother.

Funeral services were held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, June 4, 2005, at the Zimmerman Funeral Home in Howard, Kan., with Rick Reeves of the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses in Elk Falls, Kan. officiating. Interment was held in Grace Lawn Cemetery at Howard.

Memorials have been established with the Howard Twilight Manor and the American Cancer Society. Contributions may be left with the funeral home. The funeral arrangements are being made with the Zimmerman Funeral Home of Howard.