Marilyn JoAnn Cox

Marilyn JoAnn Cox (who was known to most as JoAnn) passed away on June 20, 2025 at the age of 94. She was born in Oroville, California on May 22, 1931, to Ethyl Marie Wright and Joseph McKeown Sharon. Her mother, Ethyl, passed when JoAnn was 5 years old and her younger sister Norma was only 3 months old. She was raised by multiple relatives and ultimately ended up with her maternal grandmother, Maude Wright, who she referred to as “Mom”. JoAnn graduated from Quincy High School in Quincy, California in June, 1949. Shortly after graduation she moved to Benicia to be near relatives who had relocated there. It wasn’t long before she began her long secretarial career at Parish Brothers, a quarry and road construction company. Several years later, she met and married her first husband, Clifford McElhaney, and they welcomed a daughter, Deborah, in 1955. She changed jobs and went to work for Yuba Manufacturing for several years, where she met her second husband, Robert Cox. They married in 1962 and bought their first home in Vallejo, California. JoAnn then went to work for Syar Industries in Vallejo, where she stayed for 7 years. In 1969 she accepted a position with the City of Vallejo as Secretary to the Director of Public Works, where she affectionately became known as “The Sergeant.”. She remained with the City of Vallejo for almost 25 years until her retirement in 1993. Never being a person to sit still, JoAnn was very active in many community and volunteer activities. She was a member of The Italian Lodge, The Moose Lodge and was also involved with the Elks Lodge with Bob, who was the president at one time. She was a volunteer at Sutter Hospital, and was the secretary for the RPEA (Retired Public Employees Association). She was also a member of The First Baptist Church and later The Community Presbyterian Church. She and Bob loved to travel and visited many countries as well as many locations throughout the United States. They were very social and made new friends everywhere they went. She also loved spending time with her daughter, Deborah and granddaughters, Adrienne and Renee. She was also delighted when her 3 great grandchildren arrived on the scene. In 2013, JoAnn moved to Brookdale Assisted Living Complex in Vallejo where she enjoyed many activities and outings while still living independently. In 2021 she moved to The Lodge at Glen Cove Memory Care in Vallejo where she became very close with numerous care givers. She grew to love them and they loved her. She was very fortunate. JoAnn was a very strong and determined lady and will be greatly missed. She was preceded in death by her husband of 44 years, Robert, in 2006. She is survived by her sister Norma, her daughter, Deborah Krummes (Kevin), granddaughters, Adrienne Beauchamp-Painter (Lake), Renee Beauchamp-Eman (Michael), and great grandchildren, Avery and Austin Eman and Brock Painter. A memorial service will be held at Twin Chapels Mortuary in Vallejo at 11am on July 15. The interment will be private.

Marilyn JoAnn Cox

May 22, 1931 - June 20, 2025