Ramona J. Cox passed away peacefully surrounded by her loving family on July 20, 2024. Beloved wife of the late Cecil C. Cox, Jr. She was born to the late John & Ruth (Evans) Matthews in Gilberton, Pennsylvania on February 11, 1933.

Our mother was a precocious child and told us many stories of her growing up in Gilberton and enjoying simple pleasures like picking huckleberries for pies that her mum would lovingly bake but she would often have eaten before arriving home. She spoke often of the beautiful landscape of Pennsylvania and the tight knit community where she loved running free and the friendships that endured a lifetime.

Upon graduation from Gilberton high school 1950, our mother had a short work stint in an Atlas Power Company where she was a primer before enrolling in a Pennsylvania State University nursing program. A year later, she joined the Armed services, a path that her sisters had followed. She often shared how she enjoyed the travel and the exposure it afforded her, as well as the diversity she was exposed to even though it was still a Jim Crow America. As a member of the Armed Services she met our father, Cecil Carlyle Cox, Jr. They both reported “Love at first sight”. They were married Feb 14, 1956. I would be remiss not to point out that their marriage occurred at a time when interracial marriage was still outlawed in many states. Due to the regressive norms of society at the time, our parents faced many social and systemic obstacles. This speaks volumes to our mother's courage, strength and tenacity. She received an honorable discharge, relocated to Boston and worked in retail while our father served out his last year of service. She loved retail as well as interior designing, which she often speculated would have been her career in a more modern America. Her first born Cynthia was born later that year, followed by Pamela (1958), Rona (1959), Cecil (1963) and John (1966). This was finally her calling being a mother and a wife which she loved above all else. She enjoyed her life and was extremely close to her children and grandchildren and great grandchildren where she showed us all love, and a sense that we were poised to do whatever we set our minds to do. She lived a long and fruitful life and above all loved her home and was a huge lover of the holidays which we all embrace full force. She was a wonderful wife and protector of our Dad and we all look back on her for her sacrifices and warm heart. We will deeply miss her smile, tenacity as well as her witty repartee.

Preceding her in death in addition to her parents were her husband, Cecil C. Cox, Jr.; Brothers Jon Gottschall and Ronald Matthews, Sisters Jane Silver, Ruth Bodenhamer and Melva Lane; Son-in-law's Luther Smith Jr. and Robert “Skip” Adams; Daughter-In-Law Lisa George-Cox; and Grandson, Ryan Cavanagh. She is survived by her five children: Cynthia Smith, Pamela Cox-Cavanagh, Rona Cox-Adamas, Cecil C. Cox III and John Cox; and wife Meliss Leeber; Grandchildren, Rona and Mark Lattimore Sr, Luther Smith, III Jonathan Cox, Ramona and James Winning, Maisha Cox, Nick Cox, Alexandra Cox, Cianna Cox and Cecil Joseph Cox and Samanatha Adams, as well as her great grandchildren, Anyla, Isaac, Mark and Carter Lattimore, Skylar, Jabri, Kamari and Avery as well as numerous In-Laws, nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be held at the Dolan Funeral Home, 1140 Washington Street, DORCHESTER LOWER MILLS on Tuesday, August 6th at 10AM. Funeral Service to begin at 11AM. Interment at Blue Hill Cemetery, BRAINTREE. Relatives and friends invited.