Rachel Cox

Rachel Monette Cox peacefully passed away in her sleep January 2nd after 102 years, spending her formative years in Texas; she was born November 25, 1912 to Bessie and John Cocks in Saltillo, she graduated from Wichita Falls, Valedictorian Class 1929. Moving from Cheyenne WY with her mother, Wilbur Arketa (her stepfather) and her favorite sister Marietta "Ditts" a nickname coined by Monette: to Billings in the late 1930's. There she met a friendly Chow-Chow and his best friend, an insurance salesman, Redmond Cox. There were many other Chows to come after Ki, Kil, Ki2, even a KiLyn; the last one. Monette only had one husband, Redmond for 46 years, a love she never got over. Monette and Redmond raised horses, his choice; flowers, her choice and three boys, John, Dennis and Christy, their choice; on the corner of Bench Blvd and Wicks Ln. The address changed over the years but everybody knew the 'corner' with all the horses. Everybody in the family had their own horse, including Dennis, and friends were always welcome to play with the ponies except Monette, she never wanted to ride in the 60 years she lived on Bench, although the horses were probably the secret to her 'green' thumb. Member and past President of Yellowstone Association for Retarded Citizens (YARC), instrumental in starting Children's Village at First Presbyterian Church and other projects with like-minded parents and friends of developmentally disabled individuals; Dennis was Monettes motivation and she was a formidable force where Dennis was concerned. Alzheimer's caused her to forget everyone except Dennis, her "Old Sweetheart". In 2000 Monette sold the only home she had known for 60 years. She moved to a house that Red built in Lockwood. Her last five years were lived out at Tender Nest on Shiloh. No matter where she called 'home', family was always welcome. She especially enjoyed the great-grand kids; she loved napping with the babies no matter how old. After losing the three people that she loved the most in this world; Ditts, Red and Dennis two years ago, the only thing left to do was to join them in the next life. Although Pope Francis has indicted pets will join us in the next life; Monette could undoubtedly do without the horses, green thumb or not. Preceded in death by her husband, Redmond, two sons, John and Dennis, survived by her son Christopher (Barbara), four grandchildren, Schaun (Mychal), SSgt Kevin (Dani), Rachel (Kevin) Sim and Katelyn (Chad) Christian and twelve great-grandchildren, Dallas, Abygail, Annabelle, Phiona, Rohwen, Baydon, Roselyn, Rylee, Ireland, Seamus, Declan and Ronin. Nieces and nephews spread from Canada to Texas to Australia and all points in between. Monette will missed by all. Funeral Service will be held 11am Thursday, January 8 at Dahl Funeral Chapel, with committal at Sunset Memorial Gardens.