Jo Anne Cox, 88, of Mount Vernon, Illinois, went to be with her Lord and Savior at 11:47 pm April 3, 2026.
Jo Anne was born May 24, 1937, in Spring Garden, Illinois, the daughter of the late Herbert and Pansy (Hughey) Pierce. She married Grover Cox on June 6, 1975. He preceded her in death on August 22, 2001.
Jo Anne is survived by her daughters, Tammy (Randy) Knox of Woodlawn and Cathi (Tom) Jackson of Mount Vernon; grandchildren, Matthew (Chelsea) Knox of San Diego, California, Thomas (Amy) Knox of Vienna, Virginia, Clay (Hannah) Jackson of Louisville, Kentucky, and Casey (Josh) Harp of Mount Vernon; great-grandchildren, Daniel Knox, Camilia Knox, Luna Knox, Scottie Jackson, Elise Harp, and Evan Harp; and sister-in-law, Carlene Richards.
In addition to her parents and husband, Jo Anne was preceded in death by her son, Robert Scott “Big Red” Cox; brother, Herbert Pierce, Jr.; twin brother, Jerry Dan Pierce; sisters, Dorothy Campbell and Joyce Knight; and brother-in-law, Gilbert Knight.
Jo Anne loved her church, Prince of Peace Lutheran Church. She was a faithful member for 57 years. Jo Anne worked for the Illinois Department of Employment Security for nearly 30 years. She found great joy in finding people jobs and giving them hope for a bright future. She was a very generous person who loved her family and friends well. Jo Anne blessed many people with her smile and kind heart. Her family hopes to carry on her kind heart for many generations.
A Visitation will be held on Friday, April 10, 2026, from 10:00 am to 11:00 am at Mount Vernon Memorial Gardens Chapel in Woodlawn. A Funeral Service will begin at 11:00 am with Pastor Doug Junkins officiating. Interment will follow. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be made in Jo Anne’s honor to the Prince of Peace Lutheran Church.
Call Hughey Funeral Home at 618-242-3348 or visit hugheyfh.com for further information.
