May 29, 1946 – April 06, 2025
Joyce Elaine Cox, 78 of Nevada, Mo passed away April 6th, 2025, at Nathan Richards Nursing Home in Nevada, MO. Funeral services will be held 11:00 am Saturday, April 12, 2025 at the Hume Christian Church in Hume, Missouri. There will be no visitation. Burial will follow in East Liberty Cemetery near Stotesbury, Missouri. Services under the direction of Mullinax Funeral Home, Butler (660-679-0009). Memorial contributions may be made to Life Church Nevada Building Fund. Messages of condolence may be left for the family at www.mullinaxfuneralhome.com.
Joyce was born on May 29th, 1946, to Edward Clayton and Jessie Marie Moberly in Ft Scott, KS. She graduated from Hume High School in 1964 and was married, to this union, two children were born. Son Michael Earl Sword in 1965 and daughter Misty Eve Sword in 1972.Joyce studied at Northwest Oklahoma State College, transferred and graduated from Pittsburg State University in 1979 with a Master of Business Administration.
Joyce and family lived in several places, Hume, MO, Joplin, MO, Crane, MO, Commerce, OK and Schell City and Nevada, MO. Joyce and family moved to Schell City in 1979 where she taught in Rich Hillschools for 2 years, then Schell City for 2 years, before taking employment at the Nevada Rehabilitation Center in 1984 where she retired in 2002.
Joyce married Abe Cox in 1994. That same year they owned and operated 71 Motel in Nevada, MO until 2001. While Joyce was retired, she continued to worked part time at Renwick Insurance Agency and Bon Voyage Travel in Nevada, MO.
Joyce had a love for the world around her. She was always immersed in a good book, letting her imagination roam freely. Joyce had an interest in music and musicals. It’s amazing that she could sing every song from every musical; it shows just how much she embraced her love for them.
Joyce had an adventurous spirit in the kitchen, always exploring new recipes and sharing the delicious results with others. And her warm, open nature made her a friend to everyone she met, sparking conversations and creating connections wherever she went.
Joyce was preceded in death by her parents. She is survived by husband Abe Cox, Nevada, daughter Misty Bogardus and husband Tim of Schell City and son Michael Sword, Camdenton, MO. Joyce was blessed with 5 grandchildren and 9 great-grandchildren.
