Nancy Jo Smith-Cox, 80, of McLeansboro, went to her heavenly home peacefully on December 21, 2025 after a lengthy illness.
Nancy was born in McLeansboro on August 15, 1945. She spent her early life in McLeansboro before moving to East St. Louis with her parents. She attended grade school and graduated from East St. Louis High School. After graduation, she worked in a local bank for several years as a teller. She also attended Corner Stone Christian Church.
Nancy and her parents moved back to McLeansboro in the mid 70’s where she went to work as a teller for Peoples National Bank. Nancy enjoyed greeting the townspeople and getting to know her customers. Selling Mary Kay Cosmetics as a side job gave Nancy great joy as she interacted with her clients. Nancy also spent many hours babysitting and would often share “goodies” with the children she cared for. She attended McLeansboro First Christian Church where she enjoyed praise and worship services and fellowship with parishioners. She married Kenneth Cox in 1984 and together they settled on her family’s homestead south of town.
Preceding Nancy in death include: her husband, Kenneth Cox; her parents, Sam and Dorothy (Wilson) Smith; several uncles and aunts; and cousins.
Survivors include: Brother-in-law, Bob (Jo Ann) Cox of McLeansboro; sister-in-law Denise (Bill) Barker of McLeansboro; Aunt Patricia Wilson of Cleveland, Ga; Cousins: Barbara (Randy) Harvey of Lawrenceburg, KY; Mary (Gary) McMahon of McLeansboro; Rob (Janice) Crow of McLeansboro; Tom (Mick) Crow of Rockport, TX; Brenda (Dennis) Vineyard of Edwardsville, Il; Lisa Wade of Cleveland, GA; several nieces and nephews.
The family wishes to thank SSM Hospice caregivers and the employees at Silver Foxes Senior Living and Rehab for their dedication and loving support.
A Celebration of Life Service for Nancy Jo Smith Cox will be held on Saturday, January 17, 2026 at 12:00 p.m. at Gholson Funeral Home in McLeansboro with Pastor Rodney Brock officiating. Visitation will be held from 11:00 a.m. until the time of service on Saturday at the funeral home. Burial of ashes will take place immediately following the memorial service at Blooming Grove Cemetery north of McLeansboro. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations may be made to SSM Hospice, Silver Foxes Senior Living and Rehabilitation, or St. Jude Children’s Hospital. Donations will be accepted at Gholson Funeral Home in McLeansboro.
Online condolences and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.gholsonfuneralhome.com
