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Lilyce Walker Cox

Jun. 23, 1928 - May 21, 2023

Date of Service: Jun. 6, 2023

BURLEY – Lilyce Walker Cox, a 94-year-old resident of Burley and Pocatello, passed away Sunday, May 21, 2023, at 1:09 a.m. with her granddaughter, who was also her caregiver, by her side.

Lilyce was born June 23, 1928, in Lewisville, Idaho, the seventh child of William Perrin and Ella May Allen Walker. She had four brothers and two sisters.

She grew up in Lewisville, attended high school in Idaho Falls, and graduated with the class of 1946. She attended Idaho State University College of Cosmetology and had her own beauty shop in her home in Pocatello for a few years. She later used her beauty shop experience, after moving to Burley, volunteering in the Parke View Rehabilitation and Care Center’s beauty shop doing residents’ hair.

Lilyce was an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and served as music director, Gospel Doctrine teacher, and Relief Society president. She loved music, both playing the piano and singing in choirs. She spent several years as a member of the Burley Music Club including a time as president. She enjoyed attending plays presented by local theatrical groups. Lilyce’s greatest joy was her 31 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren and she lived for opportunities to enjoy their company.

She worked as a secretary and bookkeeper for a medical equipment company and for the Pocatello J C Penney’s department store in the fabric department until they moved the store from their downtown location into a mall location. She enjoyed sewing but found sewing could not keep up with the fabric purchases she made with the company discount, so she did not transfer to the mall store. Lilyce also enjoyed knitting and crocheting but her most loved pastime was family history.

Lilyce married Odell Leon Dye on June 10, 1947, welcoming three boys into their family who were all born in March. This may have had something to do with Odell being on active duty in the United States Navy. They were later divorced on October 5, 1953, leaving Lilyce to raise the two boys while pregnant with the third as a single mother until marrying William Francis Sharp on November 13, 1958. In August 1961, Lilyce and her three boys were sealed for time and all eternity to Francis Sharp in the Idaho Falls Idaho Temple. He passed away on October 30, 1977. Lilyce married Lloyd Eldon Cox, of Burley, on September 15, 1978, who she met at a regional dance. Lilyce moved to Burley where she resided until Lloyd’s death on April 18, 2015. Shortly thereafter, she moved to Pocatello to live with her granddaughter who is a CNA and took care of her until her death - one month and two days before her 95th birthday.

Lilyce is survived by her three sons, David (Lyn) Dye of Ammon, Frank LaMar (Lorana) Dye of Burley, and Kevin (Paula) Dye of Pocatello; her grandchildren and great-grandchildren; and her brother, Clinton Walker of Bakersfield, California.

The funeral will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, June 6, at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints - Star 1st Ward, located at 100 S. 200 W., of Burley, where family and friends will be received from 10 until 10:45 a.m. She will be buried at the Brigham City Cemetery in Brigham City, Utah, next to her eternal companion, William Francis Sharp.

A live webcast of the Funeral Service will be available and maintained at the following link: https://youtu.be/xG1LT9Ypv0k.

Arrangements have been entrusted to the care of Rasmussen-Wilson Funeral Home of Burley.

Condolences for Lilyce Walker Cox

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From Susie Fuentes:

I got to know Lilyce when she visited the doctor that l worked for. She was such a sweet lady, it was a pleasure knowing her. May she RIP.

From Karel Walker Wilcox:

My Aunt Lilyce was one of the sweetest ladies I have ever known. I will always remember her for her sweet smiling face and kind words. She was my dad’s sister(Garth) and one of a kind.

From Bryce Hanks:

My son, Eric, and I were blessed to serve as Home Teachers to Lloyd and Lilyce for several years. I think Lloyd "tolerated" us and often told stories of his Missouri background. Lilyce always made us know we were welcome and loved. Eric would always give her a big hug (too hard for her small frame--but she loved them). We continued to visit her after Lloyd's passing and up until she moved to Pocatello. Eric always referred to her as "my friend" and she truly was. She was a special, wonderful lady and we miss her. Frank and Larona are our neighbors . We appreciate them and express our love and prayers to them.

From D. Piper:

Lilyce and Lloyd were my landlords back in the 1970's right after they were first married. She was so gracious and many years later, I always wondered what had became of her. She was always so kind and so much fun to be around. I'm ever grateful for her friendship. Rest peacefully Lilyce.

From Karel Walker Wilcox:

My Aunt Lilyce was one of the sweetest ladies I have ever known. I will always remember her for her sweet smiling face and kind words. She was my dad’s sister (Garth) and one of a kind.

From Pat Harding Olsen :

Love and many hugs to you Tiffany for your excellent loving care of my sweet aunt. Many hugs and much love for all of your family. My mom and aunt were best friends and since we lived close we actually did many things together. Aunt Lilyce gave me many permanents and being almost a teenager I remember David, Frank and Kevin as young kids. I even remember riding their tractor/cars around the basement - oh my, how funny the memories are! Uncle Francis was always so kind and wonderful to all of us. Time marches on - the hard part now is learning to live without her! Many virtual hugs to each of you and I so wish I could join you for condolences but alas really appreciate being able to be involved in listening to her funeral.

From Janet Cox Blackman:

Lilyce loved her stepchildren, and she treated us with love and respect. She especially loved Jim (Cox); he was always there when she needed him.
God bless you, Lilyce.

From Chelsea Beck Gibby:

I send my prayers to the family! Sister Cox was my Primary teacher and I always felt so loved and important when I was around her! Sending love!

From Brian and Debra Barlow:

Oh how we loved lilyce! Such a wonderful lady, neighbor, freind, teacher, and many more wonderful qualities. Frank and Ladonna and your families, our hearts, love, and prayers are with you at this sad time for you and joyous time for her.

From Randy and Pam Walker:

We are very sorry to hear of aunt Lilyce’s passing. Although we were a long ways away, she always tried to stay in touch.

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