Rosemary Q. Myers, age 93, of Centralia, Illinois, entered into rest at 2:42 P.M. on Wednesday, December 7, 2022, at SSM Health Saint Mary’s Hospital in Centralia, Illinois.
She was born on June 3, 1929, in Ralls, Texas, the daughter of Thomas Lafayette and Ada (Powell) Qualls. Rosemary was first married to Gene Flannigan in 1945 and they later divorced, she then married George W. Cox, Jr. in 1957 and he preceded her in death in 1987, and she was lastly married to Raymond Myers in 1992 and he preceded her in death in July of 2008.
Rosemary is survived by her loving family, grandchildren, Shelby Cox of Centralia, Illinois, Petty Officer First Class Cody Cox of Martinez, Georgia, Phillip Willis and wife Marissa of Nashville, Tennessee, and Billy Kelly and wife Michelle of Texas; step-grandchildren, Brad Goodman and wife Lori, Erin Barr and husband Eric, Heather Boitnot and husband Darrin, Shannon Heard, Kristi Hancock and husband Tim, Jennifer Reeder and Kim, Michael Myers and Stacie Myers; great-grandchildren, Bailee Cox, Tristan Cox, Connor Cox, Ella Cox, Lexi Willis and Joselyn Willis; step-great-grandchildren, Austin Goodman, Chloe Goodman, Drew Hancock, Daniel Hancock, Thomas Reeder, Joshua Reeder, James Delatore, David Carlson, Isaac Boitnot; stepchildren, Karen Goodman, William “Rusty” Myers and wife Sara, Kathy Myers , Amy Myers and husband Mike; and brother, Thomas L. “Tom” Qualls and wife Betty of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; sisters-in-law, Vivian Vogel and Margaret Cox; many nieces and nephews and her friends.
In addition to her husbands, Rosemary was preceded in death by her parents, Thomas Qualls and Ada Qualls; sons, Joel Cox, PFC Phillip Flannigan, and Dan Flannigan; daughter, Janice Sears; brother, Jack D. Qualls; sister, Janice Ruth Qualls; and stepson, Raymond D. “Jack” Myers, Jr..
Rosemary was of the Methodist Faith and was affiliated with Faith United Methodist Church in Wamac, Illinois, where she taught in the after-school programs and assisted with funeral luncheons and other church-related meals. She gave to the people of the church by delivering Meals on Wheels to them. Rosemary really enjoyed reading books until her vision was affected by macular degeneration. The best book she read throughout her life was the Bible. She enjoyed being outdoors, fishing at the lake, or tending to her beautiful gardens. In her spare time, she was on her sewing machine working on clothes for her family and friends. Rosemary cherished the time she spent with her family, especially her children and grandchildren.
Rosemary retired as a co-owner of Brookside Florist in Centralia, Illinois, with her son, Joel Cox. Earlier in life, she was a dental hygienist at Dr. Michael Zibby’s office in Centralia, Illinois, and a seamstress with Miss Elaine’s Dress Factory in Central City, Illinois. Before moving to Centralia, Illinois, in 1987 with her family, she was employed with a physical therapist office in Homewood, Illinois. She moved to Oklahoma at the age of six months. She attended schools in Oklahoma and later in Illinois when her father transferred to Illinois with Texas Oil Company. She graduated with McLeansboro Township High School’s “Class of 1947” in McLeansboro, Illinois.
Rosemary will continue to give to people with her anatomical donation to the SIU-Carbondale School of Medicine. A Celebration of Life Service will be held at a later date. There will be no public visitation. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Rosemary’s honor to a Charity of the Donor’s Choice and may be received at the Moran Queen-Boggs Funeral Home at 134 South Elm Street in Centralia, Illinois. Please view the online obituary, send condolences or share memories with Rosemary’s family at www.moranfuneralhome.net.
