Betty Jo Reedy Cox age 94 of Crumpler passed away peacefully Monday, August 3, 2026 at Margate Health and Rehabilitation Center. Betty was born July 5, 1932 to the late Jessie Vester and Grace Osborne Reedy. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Billy Joe Cox, and sisters Lillie Miller and Kate Wells.

Betty graduated from Virginia Carolina in 1950 and soon began a career as a teacher and teacher’s assistant working in several elementary schools in Virginia and Ashe County. It thrilled her throughout the years when former students would say how much they appreciated the attention she gave them in school because they knew she cared about them academically, but also as a person.

After starting her career, she married Billy Joe and they had two sons, Doug and Durwin. Betty was quick to say that some of her best days were raising her boys and trying to keep up with them as they grew. Family was so important to her, and as time passed, nothing pleased her more than when her family would drop in to visit, especially her grandchildren. No one could leave her house until she had offered them something to eat and drink, and she always had a camera ready for every opportunity to take pictures of the family.

It was not unusual for someone to stop while passing her house to take a picture of the beautiful potted flowers she had spaced around her wrap-around porch. Even though this took time and much care, it was one of her favorite hobbies in the summer. Taking a break from her flowers, she enjoyed meeting friends at Hardee’s and sharing a laugh or two. Mrs. Cox was a member of Healing Springs Baptist Church and loved her church family.

Mrs. Cox is survived by two sons, Doug Cox (Deborah) and Durwin Cox (Elaine) both of Crumpler. One grandson, Joe Cox (Stacy) and one granddaughter, Melinda Lyons (Greg). Two great-grandsons and one great-granddaughter and one “adopted” great-granddaughter as well as several nieces, nephews, cousins, and many friends also survive. Special thanks go to niece, Sue Phillips, for her caregiving, especially this past week.

Services will be held Sunday, August 9, 2026 at Ashelawn Memorial Chapel. The family will receive friends from 1:30-2:30 pm, and the service will begin at 2:30 pm with speaker David VanHoy and Preacher Larry Davis officiating. Burial will follow in Ashelawn Memorial Gardens.

The family wants to thank all the Margate and Hospice staff who provided excellent care. The family requests no flowers or food please, but instead to make a donation to Margate Health and Rehab Activities Fund in care of Christine Wise; 540 Waugh St. Jefferson, NC 28640.