Thelma Shirley Sudweeks Cox

Thelma Shirley Sudweeks Cox, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, great-great-grandmother, sister and aunt passed away at 98, on Aug. 30, 2026 after a short battle with old age.

Shirley was born May 6, 1928, in Ephraim, Utah, to Calvin and Thelma Sudweeks. She was the second of four children and the only daughter. She developed a lifelong appreciation for the Gospel of Jesus Christ, music, culinary arts, sewing and hard work.

Her parents sacrificed much so she and her siblings could take music lessons. She loved and excelled in music, playing for choirs and programs at Snow College. She was a pianist for a local dance band and sang in and accompanied a double trio.

Shirley graduated from Ephraim High School and later attended Snow College where she earned a degree. On Feb. 21, 1947, Shirley married R. LaVaun Cox and together they built a life centered on family and devotion to one another. Shirley helped Vaun run the Manti Messenger, worked for Farmer’s Home Administration and later as a tax preparer for H&R Block.

Vaun and Shirley opened their home consistently over the years, providing love and shelter to family and others. Shirley loved sewing, working in the yard, canning, ice hockey, doing puzzles of any sort and spending time with her family.

Shirley served faithfully as a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as a Relief Society President, in Primary presidencies, as a ward organist and many other callings. Shirley is a great example of faith in Jesus Christ, self-reliance, responsibility, service, kindness to others and enduring to the end.

Shirley is survived by her brother Dean Sudweeks, daughter-in-law Carol Cox, daughters Brenda Bailey (Alan) and Karen Duke (Mike) and son Douglas (Emilie), 22 grandchildren, 66 great-grandchildren and seven great-great-grandchildren.

Shirley was preceded in death by her husband R. LaVaun Cox, son Neal LaVaun Cox, her parents, two siblings: Keith and Duane Sudweeks, grandson David Cox and two great-grandchildren: Aiden Duke and Peter Martinez.

Shirley’s legacy lives on through the family she loved and served resulting in countless memories she created with them. She will be greatly missed and forever loved and remembered.

Services will be held on Saturday, Sept. 5, at 11 a.m. at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints chapel, 900 South 400 East, Centerville, Utah. Viewings will be held on Sunday, Sept. 4, 2026, from 6-8 p.m. at Russon Brothers Mortuary, 295 North Main Street, Bountiful, Utah, and before the funeral at the chapel from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. Interment will be at the Centerville City Cemetery.