SPRINGFIELD – Charlene Marie Cox, 88, passed away peacefully on December 14, at 11:45 p.m. at St. John's Hospital surrounded by her loving family.

Charlene was a 36-year cancer survivor and walking miracle as she was metastatic for the last 13 years of those. She got the nickname "One Tough Old Hen" from her doctor, hence the license plate she had for her car "OTOH"

She was born in Taylorville on September 15, 1935, the daughter of Ralph "John" and Catherine Marie Cummings. She married Dean E. Cox on July 2, 1960, at Blessed Sacrament Church and he preceded her in death March 3, 2014.

She retired from SIU School of Medicine after 20 years.

Charlene enjoyed reading books, playing Scrabble Word game with family and going to trivia nights with her daughter, Teresa, and friends. Christmas was her favorite holiday doing decorations and indulging her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Charlene was also preceded in death by her parents; brother, John R. "Jack" Cummings and son, Michael W. Cox.

She is survived by her daughters, Teresa (Tom) Cravens of Springfield and Cheryl (Jerry) Sommer of Jacksonville; grandchildren, Brian (Amy) Sommer, Rebecca Sommer and Ryan Sommer; and great-grandchildren, Curtis, Douglas and Bryson.

Visitation will be held from 11 a.m. until the time of Mass at 11:30 a.m. Wednesday, December 20, 2023, at St. Agnes Catholic Church with the Very Reverend Dan Bergbower officiating. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Dean Cox's great-grandchildren's education fund c/o any UCB Bank location.