Lenora Cox passed away peacefully on February 2, 2018 in Wilsonville, OR after living a loving and giving life. Born February 17, 1920 in Amelia, NE to Fred and Maud Benjamin, Lenora was raised in Wapato, WA along with her 8 siblings, and graduated from Wapato H.S. in 1938 where she was an outstanding forward in girl’s basketball. Lenora pursued nurses training at St. Elizabeth Hospital in Yakima. On June 29, 1941, she married Richard Cox (a Zillah H.S. graduate), the love of her life for 72 years. Lenora is survived by her 3 children, Beverly Anne Carpenter & husband Robert of Plano, TX, Barbara Jean Cox of Portland, OR and Richard David Cox & wife Kathy of Torrance, CA, and five grandchildren including Elizabeth Carpenter, Robert W. Carpenter Jr. & wife Jana, Lane D. Joyner, Tyson S. Cox & wife Sarah and Kelly Cox, and 7 great grandchildren, Samuel M. Carpenter, Benjamin Carpenter, Gracie M. Carpenter, Fay Z. Joyner, Stanley W. Joyner, Sean Cox and Devyn Cox, plus 26 nieces and nephews. Lenora was preceded in death by husband, Richard Cox, and all of her siblings and their spouses: Golden & Babe Murphy, Wallace & Edith Benjamin, Gladys & Bob Kitchens, Earl & Margaret Benjamin, Tom Benjamin, Dorothy & Art Borgens, Willis E. “Pete”& Rowena Benjamin, and Irene & Norman Shellenberger.
Lenora and Dick spent their early years of marriage in the Air Force being stationed in Europe, Hawaii, and Oklahoma City while raising a family. Lenora was always supportive and involved with her children while serving as PTA President of both their elementary and high schools. Her leadership and giving nature continued as a volunteer for 5 years at Shriners Hospitals for Children in Honolulu, HI. Lenora was adamant about maintaining a strong mind, body and spirit which she did through reading and playing bridge, jazzercise and tennis, studying the Bible and treating everyone she met as she would like to be treated. She always closed letters with “keep a happy heart” which she exemplified throughout her caring, patient, loving life. Visitation is from 1-5 Feb. 14 at River View Cemetery in Portland, OR with graveside service on Feb. 15 at 2:00 at West Hills Memorial Park, Yakima, WA. Memorials may be given to Alzheimer’s Association, https://act.alz.org in memory of Lenora Z. Cox.
Lenora and Dick spent their early years of marriage in the Air Force being stationed in Europe, Hawaii, and Oklahoma City while raising a family. Lenora was always supportive and involved with her children while serving as PTA President of both their elementary and high schools. Her leadership and giving nature continued as a volunteer for 5 years at Shriners Hospitals for Children in Honolulu, HI. Lenora was adamant about maintaining a strong mind, body and spirit which she did through reading and playing bridge, jazzercise and tennis, studying the Bible and treating everyone she met as she would like to be treated. She always closed letters with “keep a happy heart” which she exemplified throughout her caring, patient, loving life. Visitation is from 1-5 Feb. 14 at River View Cemetery in Portland, OR with graveside service on Feb. 15 at 2:00 at West Hills Memorial Park, Yakima, WA. Memorials may be given to Alzheimer’s Association, https://act.alz.org in memory of Lenora Z. Cox.
Lenora Cox passed away peacefully on February 2, 2018 in Wilsonville, OR after living a loving and giving life. Born February 17, 1920 in Amelia, NE to Fred and Maud Benjamin, Lenora was raised in Wapato, WA along with her 8 siblings, and graduated from Wapato H.S. in 1938 where she was an outstanding forward in girl’s basketball. Lenora pursued nurses training at St. Elizabeth Hospital in Yakima. On June 29, 1941, she married Richard Cox (a Zillah H.S. graduate), the love of her life for 72 years. Lenora is survived by her 3 children, Beverly Anne Carpenter & husband Robert of Plano, TX, Barbara Jean Cox of Portland, OR and Richard David Cox & wife Kathy of Torrance, CA, and five grandchildren including Elizabeth Carpenter, Robert W. Carpenter Jr. & wife Jana, Lane D. Joyner, Tyson S. Cox & wife Sarah and Kelly Cox, and 7 great grandchildren, Samuel M. Carpenter, Benjamin Carpenter, Gracie M. Carpenter, Fay Z. Joyner, Stanley W. Joyner, Sean Cox and Devyn Cox, plus 26 nieces and nephews. Lenora was preceded in death by husband, Richard Cox, and all of her siblings and their spouses: Golden & Babe Murphy, Wallace & Edith Benjamin, Gladys & Bob Kitchens, Earl & Margaret Benjamin, Tom Benjamin, Dorothy & Art Borgens, Willis E. “Pete”& Rowena Benjamin, and Irene & Norman Shellenberger.
Lenora and Dick spent their early years of marriage in the Air Force being stationed in Europe, Hawaii, and Oklahoma City while raising a family. Lenora was always supportive and involved with her children while serving as PTA President of both their elementary and high schools. Her leadership and giving nature continued as a volunteer for 5 years at Shriners Hospitals for Children in Honolulu, HI. Lenora was adamant about maintaining a strong mind, body and spirit which she did through reading and playing bridge, jazzercise and tennis, studying the Bible and treating everyone she met as she would like to be treated. She always closed letters with “keep a happy heart” which she exemplified throughout her caring, patient, loving life. Visitation is from 1-5 Feb. 14 at River View Cemetery in Portland, OR with graveside service on Feb. 15 at 2:00 at West Hills Memorial Park, Yakima, WA. Memorials may be given to Alzheimer’s Association, https://act.alz.org in memory of Lenora Z. Cox.
Lenora and Dick spent their early years of marriage in the Air Force being stationed in Europe, Hawaii, and Oklahoma City while raising a family. Lenora was always supportive and involved with her children while serving as PTA President of both their elementary and high schools. Her leadership and giving nature continued as a volunteer for 5 years at Shriners Hospitals for Children in Honolulu, HI. Lenora was adamant about maintaining a strong mind, body and spirit which she did through reading and playing bridge, jazzercise and tennis, studying the Bible and treating everyone she met as she would like to be treated. She always closed letters with “keep a happy heart” which she exemplified throughout her caring, patient, loving life. Visitation is from 1-5 Feb. 14 at River View Cemetery in Portland, OR with graveside service on Feb. 15 at 2:00 at West Hills Memorial Park, Yakima, WA. Memorials may be given to Alzheimer’s Association, https://act.alz.org in memory of Lenora Z. Cox.
Family Members
Siblings
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Golden Hazel Benjamin Murphy
1905–2002
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Wallace L. Benjamin
1907–1994
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Thomas Frederick ""Tom"" Benjamin
1909–1950
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Gladys Lillian Benjamin Kitchen
1911–1996
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Earl Robert Benjamin
1913–1991
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Dorothy Winbern Benjamin Borgens
1915–1999
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Willis Edwin "Pete" Benjamin
1916–2000
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Irene Evelyn Benjamin Shellenberger
1923–2013
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