Spencerville;       Mary Frances (Smith) Cox passed away on Saturday, July 27, 2024 at St. Rita's Medical Center after a 3 ½ year stay at Roselawn Manor. She was born on February 24, 1935 in Fierco, West Virginia to the late Earl C. and Merethy C. (Watson) Smith.

Mary was a graduate of Stoco High School in Coal City, West Virginia where she was voted the prettiest hair her senior year although George voted her the prettiest girl in town. Upon his return from the Marine Corp, she married George H. Cox on February 24, 1954. Along with George, she is also survived by her children: Judy (Paul) McGrail of Sarasota, FL, Sharon Cox of Lima, Carolyn (Dale) Rider of Spencerville, and Vickie (Lenny) Klausing of Van Wert; grandchildren, Jamison (Lisa) Bell, Tamara (Greg) Loveless, Loren (Sandra) Bell, Ashley (Wes) Bower, Steven (Katie) Rider, Daniel (Andrea) Rider, Megan (Kent) Klausing, Michael (Miranda) Klausing and Samantha (Dillan) Woods. She also has 14 great grandchildren, and sister-in-law Betty Mullins, brothers-in-law, Frank Butler and Sam Risaliti.

Along with her parents, she is preceded in death by two daughters, Kathy Cox and Patricia Cox; a son, Paul Cox; her bothers, Walker (Pearl) Smith, Charles Ralph (Tracy) Smith, Earl (Marcelle) Smith Jr., Nathan (Eva) Smith, Alfred (Christine) Smith, Kenneth Smith, Milton Smith; sisters, Marie (Ralph) Akers, Mildred (Thomas) Butler, Katherine (Charles) Thomas, Millie Smith, Peggy Butler, Joyce Reed and Brenda Risaliti.

She had worked at Roselawn Manor, Lima Convalescent Manor, and as a private home nurse aid. She was a member of the Spencerville Nazarene Church where she faithfully attended. Mary was also a member of the Spencerville VFW Clown Unit.

There will be a visitation from 4:00-8:00 p.m. on Tuesday, July 30, 2024 at Thomas E. Bayliff Funeral Home in Spencerville. Her funeral will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, July 31, 2024 at Spencerville Nazarene Church, 317 W. North St., Spencerville where the family will receive friends from 9:30 a.m. until the time of the service. Rev. Darryl Potts will officiate the service. Burial will take place following the service at Spencerville Cemetery. Thomas E. Bayliff Funeral Home in Spencerville is caring for Mary and her family.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be given to Spencerville Nazarene Church for their missionary and bible school programs or Roselawn Manor Activities Department.