Ola Cox

Ola lda Cox, age 101, died peacefully on Sunday morning, November 17, 2024 at Oakwood Heights Village in Oil City.

Ola was a lifelong resident of Rockland. Family and friends knew her as a traveler, trailblazer, and staunch lover of family who explored the world but would always return to her family and farm with stories, lessons and pictures.

Born in Richland Township, December 23, 1922 to the late Dewey and Minnie (Coast) McCord, Ola graduated as valedictorian of Rockland High School, then took a leap of faith to leave her home and sisters at age 16. She attended the Erie Commercial College of Business, worked briefly for the Meadville YMCA., then set a precedent for future women service members when she joined the U.S. Navy WAVES during World War II.

   Stationed in Seattle, Washington, 1943-1946,  Ola worked for Lt. Commander Mary Daily who oversaw all WAVES in the northwest.  Ola wrote letters to her family regularly, which are archived as part of her family’s heirlooms. The letters tell both family stories and glimpses of what it meant to be part of the “greatest generation.” As the news was announced over the radio, she wrote home immediately: “The war is done!”  As she and her roommates inched through the city in her car, confetti fell from the sky, sailors hopped on car running boards to give young women kisses, bands played behind them, and people danced in the streets. Ola remained for several more months to finish the business of war before heading back to Rockland and a whirlwind romance with the love of her life.

Ola and Lester D. (Boone) Cox, were married less than a month after their first date. Because of the age difference (21 years), she joked that they couldn’t wait any longer to start a family; they had four children in 3 ½ years. With Lester’s brother, they ran Cox Printing Company behind the court house in Franklin.

When Lester retired and they sold the print shop, Ola worked as the Rockland Township tax collector for 21 years.  She also worked as bookkeeper at Oakwood Rose Gardens.

In 1987, after 41 years of marriage, Lester Cox died.  Ola was left with precious memories and 10 grandchildren, ages 6-16 on which to lavish her love.  She began to stretch her wings with travel – with family, and with her best friend from the WAVES, Marie Gerson, whose husband had also died.  She eventually traveled to 36 countries, and added Antarctica to include all continents.  Occasionally Marie and Ola would visit Marie’s daughter, Leslie Gerson, who worked for the state department.  Leslie would provide them with global experiences quite different from that of regular tourists.

 Upon the births and adoption of great grandchildren, she traveled to where they were and regularly helped with their care. She was an involved great grandmother and witnessed many milestones in their lives. She taught them how to play 500 Bid, helped them set up music bands, and put together puzzles.  At her home, they helped care for miniature donkeys (bought for her great grandchildren), introduced them to hatching chicks, and encouraged their adventures and travel. There were many evenings where children could be heard giggling because Ola and her great grandchildren were making up stories. Without them realizing it, Ola was teaching the kids names of flowers, state capitals, how to alphabetize, and names of countries. Her influence helped form future volunteers, explorers, and young women willing to develop their own paths.

She exemplified for them the importance of giving to the community and world. In her early years, she volunteered for the Rockland Cemetery Association and the Kennerdell Music and Arts Festival. She was known for making tea sandwiches for meetings and up to 30 pies for community gatherings that included each year’s Memorial Day celebration in Rockland. As a lifelong member and leader of United Methodist Women, then an 800,000 member organization that focused on women, children and youth, she traveled nationwide for meetings, educational events, and celebrations. A longtime member of Rockland United Methodist Church, she was integrally involved in their ministries and projects.

Ola served on the Venango County Historical Society and the Museum of Art, Science and Industry in Oil City with a passion for local history and its connection to people and families, She loved playing cards and card parties, integrating that into monthly events with the historical society and every family gathering. When great grandchildren visited her at Oakwood Heights, they brought cards for a game.

She was an avid Pirates, Steelers, and Penguins fan, and she was known to give family members who were Philadelphia fans a little “ribbing.”

For the past three years, Ola resided at Oakwood Heights in Oil City where every day, one of her children, along with other generations, would visit for a couple of hours.  They would  read her books and her letters from WWII, and “zoom” the Rockland UM Church service, often bringing an avocado, chocolate, or do-nuts to supplement what was served for breakfast or lunch.  Her family would like to extend much gratitude to the staff of Oakwood Heights for their care and for the Hospice nurses who supported Ola at the end of her life.

Ola is survived by her four children: Diane Miller (John), Dixie Agnew (Dallice), and Candace Connor,  all of Rockland, and David Cox (Janet) of Shippenville; her ten grandchildren and spouses: Kelly Martini, Carrie Chelko, Adam Miller, Sabrina McCormick, Rachel Agnew, Brandy Ellis, Jackson Connor, Kristen Thompson, Jason Cox, and Amy Brubaker; and 25 great-grandchildren. Numerous nieces and nephews also survive, as well as Leslie Gerson of Washington, D.C., whom Ola and her daughters considered an “adopted” daughter after the death of her mother and best friend, Marie.

In addition to her parents and husband, Ola was preceded in death by her son-in-law, Jack Connor, as well as two sisters, Laura Schoeppner and Bonnie Stewart.

Visitation will be held at the Hile-Best Funeral Home , 2781 Rte. 257 in Seneca, PA on Friday, November 22 from 2:00 - 4:00 p.m.  On Saturday, November 23, visitation will be held at the Rockland United Methodist Church, 4357 Kennerdell Rd., Kennerdell, PA from 1:30-2:30 p.m followed by the funeral service at 2:30 p.m., led by Rev. Dr. John Miller.  Full military funeral honors will be accorded by the V.E.T.S. Honor Guard at the beginning of the service. Interment will follow at the Rockland Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Rockland United Methodist Church, 4357 Kennerdell Rd., Kennerdell, PA 16374. Online condolences to the family may be expressed by visiting www.hilebest.com

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