Connie Cox

Connie Jean Cox, 73, passed from this world to the next on Monday, August 2, at Windsor Place. She was born on September 5, 1947, to Ruth Lorene (Crittenden) Elliott and Ralph Edgar (George) Elliott in Coffeyville, Kansas. She was a citizen of the Cherokee Nation, Wolf Clan.

Connie lived in Coffeyville her entire life, graduating from FKHS in 1965 where she participated in student council and Tornado Tillies. In 1967 she earned an Associate of Arts degree from Coffeyville Junior College and was a member of Phi Theta Kappa and the CJC cheer squad. While at PSU, she was selected as one of the education students to speak to future teaching classes. After graduating from Pittsburg State University in 1969 with a BS in Education, Connie became an elementary teacher, first at Lowell and then at Edgewood. She and her mother both obtained their Masters in Primary Education degrees at the same time in 1979 from PSU.

A teaching career was one she thoroughly enjoyed for a total of 34 years, finally retiring in 2003.

Connie married Douglas McArthur Miller in 1983 but later divorced. In 1990 she married Michael Cox and was later divorced.

Much of Connie's retirement was taken up with caring for her mother until July 2017. She and her mother were often seen in Coffeyville and Bartlesville on shopping expeditions. Favorite hobbies included cooking and reading. She always enjoyed visiting with former students and friends around town.

Connie was baptized in the First United Methodist Church. She was a member of the local Salvation Army Community Service Volunteers, CRMC Auxiliary, Phi Theta Kappa Alumni, Kansas Association of Retired School Personnel, and the National Education Association.

Connie was preceded in death by her grandparents, Lee and Gertrude Crittenden, of Wann, OK; her parents, George and Lorene Elliott, of Coffeyville; and her first husband, Douglas Miller.

Surviving to honor her memory is her sister, Carolyn Sue Staudt (Joe) of Coffeyville; a niece, Kimberly Sue Ree Gonzalez (Mateo) of Flower Mound, TX; a niece, Holly Joelle Hee Staudt of Pittsburg, KS; a great-niece, Audrey Elizabeth Gonzalez; a cousin, Frances Felts of Liberty, KS; and cousins Nolen, Rick, and Suzanne Smith of Bartlesville, OK.

Arrangements are made by Ford, Wulf, Bruns Chapel. The memorial book may be signed at the funeral home from 9-5 on Thursday, August 5. A private graveside service will take place on Friday, August 6, at Restlawn Garden of Peace Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials be made to the Coffeyville Fire Department, the First United Methodist Church, Harry Hynes Hospice, or the Coffeyville Friends of Animals. To share a memory or to leave the family a message of condolence, please visit www.fordwulfbrunschapel.com