Lois Henderson Cox

After a night surrounded by loved ones, Lois Henderson Cox, 88, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, August 29, 2018 at Riderwood Village in Silver Spring, Maryland, following a long illness.

Lois was born to the late John and Zola Henderson in King George County, Virginia on July 18, 1930. The youngest of six children, she was preceded in death by her brothers Elmon M. Henderson, Raymond J. Henderson and Charles L. Henderson and her sisters Gladys Newton and Ethel Allen.

A devoted wife, mother and grandmother she is survived by her husband of 57 years, Sidney Webb Cox and her children Timothy K. Cox (Kathy), Carolyn A. Schupbach (Robert), Denise M. Herndon (Michael) and Steven A. Cox. She is also survived by her seven grandchildren Rachel Schupbach, Jessica Schupbach, Montana Chance Herndon, Savana Herndon, Joshua Schupbach, Harley Herndon and Cash Herndon as well as several nieces and nephews.

Although she spent several years as a scientific typist, proofreader and childcare provider, she believed her most important role was wife and mother. She devoted herself to her husband and children with great love and sacrifice. Later when she became a grandmother, she approached it with the same love and devotion.

Prior to retiring to Riderwood Village with her husband, Lois served as the Financial Secretary for several decades at Belair Baptist Church in Bowie, Maryland. Her faith in God was central to her life. She read the Bible daily with her husband for most of their married life. She was a quiet servant of God who sent cards with notes of encouragement, prayed for each one individually on the church prayer list and often volunteered to make meals for those in need. Whether it was a cup of coffee with a friend or the unexpected phone call, Lois found a way to make others feel special.

Later in life when her husband was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, she became his quiet advocate, educating herself on the disease and doing all she could to maintain his dignity. Lois was often seen around Riderwood Village holding hands with her “sweetheart” Sidney. And even as her own illness took its toll on her, caregivers noted her wonderful smile and polite “thank you.”

The family will receive friends on Tuesday, September 4 at 12:30 p.m. until the service time of 1:30 p.m. at Fort Lincoln Funeral Home 3401 Bladensburg Road, Brentwood, MD. If individuals wish to make a donation in her honor, please consider the Alzheimer’s Association (www.alz.org)