Obituary for Laura Grace Fox
Laura Grace Fox, age 78, went to meet her Lord and Savior on April 20, 2023 in Springfield, IL.
A Celebration of Laura’s life will be held at 12:00 PM, Friday, April 28, 2023 at Sherman Church of the Nazarene. Memorials in Laura’s honor may be made to Sherman Church of the Nazarene, 7085 Village Center Rd, Sherman, IL 62684
Laura was born November 6, 1944, in Geneva, NE to Ralph and Elsie (Worley) Ellison. At the age of 4, Laura’s family moved to a farm in Thayer, NE where she spent her childhood days. She graduated from Waco Public School in Waco, NE and then attended Bethany Nazarene College in Bethany, OK, now Southern Nazarene University. Laura worked at Little Giant Pumpkin Co. and later at General Electric Credit Union in Oklahoma City.
On September 26, 1970, Laura married Ernest (Jack) Fox in Oklahoma City. They then moved to Springfield, IL where Jack was living and working. Laura worked at Roland Department Store and babysat many years. She then worked at University of Illinois in Springfield. After retiring from UIS, she can began babysitting again.
Laura was a member of Sherman Church of the Nazarene, formerly Springfield Southside Church of the Nazarene. She served in many capacities there. She taught the kindergarten Sunday School class and was the Children’s Director for many years. She was Director of Vacation Bible School and directed many children’s Christmas and VBS programs. While at Springfield Southside, Laura served on the Church Board and was the Secretary for many years.
Laura earned the Distinguished Service Award and she and Jack received the Second Mile Award. They loved to entertain and had many people in their home. When Laura was no longer able to walk, she held a ladies’ Bible study in her home. Laura’s hobbies included crafting, sewing, crocheting, cake decorating, scrapbooking and antiquing.
Laura is survived by her husband Ernest (Jack) Fox of Springfield, IL; sister Joyce Kelley of Edmond, OK; Jeannette (Rod) Cronan of Plano, TX; brothers Jerry Ellison of York, NE, Gaylord Ellison of Waco, NE, and Dale (Michelle) Ellison of Yukon, OK; brother-in-law Carl Odie of Bethany, OK; sister-in-laws Donna Ellison of Stromsburg, NE, Pat (Bob) Williams of Yukon, OK and Phyllis (Roger) Grover of Memphis, MO; brother-in-law, Jim Fox of Havana, IL; and many nieces and nephews.
Laura loved children and even though she didn’t have children of her own, she had many that called her grandma. Among these are Lillian Wright-Bergschneider; Ashley, Molly, Haylee and Kaylee Mose and Hayden Burmeister.
Laura was preceded in death by her parents, Ralph and Elsie Ellison; mother and father in-law, Ernest and Phoebe Fox; brother, Ronald Ellison; sister, Sharon Odle; brother-in law Tom Kelly; and, sister-in-law, Sharon Ellison.
A Celebration of Laura’s life will be held at 12:00 PM, Friday, April 28, 2023 at Sherman Church of the Nazarene. Memorials in Laura’s honor may be made to Sherman Church of the Nazarene, 7085 Village Center Rd, Sherman, IL 62684
Laura was born November 6, 1944, in Geneva, NE to Ralph and Elsie (Worley) Ellison. At the age of 4, Laura’s family moved to a farm in Thayer, NE where she spent her childhood days. She graduated from Waco Public School in Waco, NE and then attended Bethany Nazarene College in Bethany, OK, now Southern Nazarene University. Laura worked at Little Giant Pumpkin Co. and later at General Electric Credit Union in Oklahoma City.
On September 26, 1970, Laura married Ernest (Jack) Fox in Oklahoma City. They then moved to Springfield, IL where Jack was living and working. Laura worked at Roland Department Store and babysat many years. She then worked at University of Illinois in Springfield. After retiring from UIS, she can began babysitting again.
Laura was a member of Sherman Church of the Nazarene, formerly Springfield Southside Church of the Nazarene. She served in many capacities there. She taught the kindergarten Sunday School class and was the Children’s Director for many years. She was Director of Vacation Bible School and directed many children’s Christmas and VBS programs. While at Springfield Southside, Laura served on the Church Board and was the Secretary for many years.
Laura earned the Distinguished Service Award and she and Jack received the Second Mile Award. They loved to entertain and had many people in their home. When Laura was no longer able to walk, she held a ladies’ Bible study in her home. Laura’s hobbies included crafting, sewing, crocheting, cake decorating, scrapbooking and antiquing.
Laura is survived by her husband Ernest (Jack) Fox of Springfield, IL; sister Joyce Kelley of Edmond, OK; Jeannette (Rod) Cronan of Plano, TX; brothers Jerry Ellison of York, NE, Gaylord Ellison of Waco, NE, and Dale (Michelle) Ellison of Yukon, OK; brother-in-law Carl Odie of Bethany, OK; sister-in-laws Donna Ellison of Stromsburg, NE, Pat (Bob) Williams of Yukon, OK and Phyllis (Roger) Grover of Memphis, MO; brother-in-law, Jim Fox of Havana, IL; and many nieces and nephews.
Laura loved children and even though she didn’t have children of her own, she had many that called her grandma. Among these are Lillian Wright-Bergschneider; Ashley, Molly, Haylee and Kaylee Mose and Hayden Burmeister.
Laura was preceded in death by her parents, Ralph and Elsie Ellison; mother and father in-law, Ernest and Phoebe Fox; brother, Ronald Ellison; sister, Sharon Odle; brother-in law Tom Kelly; and, sister-in-law, Sharon Ellison.