Myrtle Yates Cox, 93, born on March 2, 1932 at home in South Solon, OH, died peacefully on November 1, 2025, following a brief illness.  Her late husband, Edwin B. Cox had passed away on September 12, 2025.

Myrtle was born at home March 2, 1932, in South Solon, Ohio to Martina Smittle Yates and her husband Dewey Yates. Myrtle was their first child and was followed by four more daughters and a son (all deceased). Dewey was a farmer and Myrtle grew up on several farms he worked on.

She enjoyed life on the farm, helping her father and mother in many ways. She came to know the Brown family in Centerville as a mother's helper and gained many insights into life beyond the farm. Mr. Brown was an engineer, and the family included Myrtle in their life, including travel to Michigan and North Carolina.

She graduated from high school in Centerville, Ohio. Encouraged by the Brown family, she applied to the University of Dayton, a Catholic university. She was awarded a four-year full scholarship and graduated in 1955 with a degree in elementary education. She began teaching in the Dayton Public Schools, when she was introduced through mutual friends to Edwin Cox who was posted to Wright Patterson Air Force base in Ohio.

Myrtle and Edwin married in Dayton, OH in 1956 and moved to Philadelphia where Myrtle taught school until the first of two sons, Edwin Jr. was born.  They moved to Lexington, MA where their second son, David was born.  Myrtle went to Boston University where she earned her Masters in Education.   She was a substitute teacher and research assistant to a project in early childhood education.  In addition, she volunteered at the Museum of National Heritage as a docent and planned programs for visiting school children.

While empty nesters, they moved to a condominium at Potter Pond in Lexington in 1984 where they lived until moving to Carlton Willard Village in Bedford, MA, in 2010.  They were active members of Hancock Church in Lexington since 1961.

She is survived by her sons Edwin B. Cox Jr. and David G. Cox, her grandchildren Sarah Cole, Ashley Cox, Corey Cox and Meghan Cox and three great grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held at Carleton-Willard Village, 100 Old Billerica Rd., in Bedford, MA, on Saturday, November 22, 2025 at 3:30 PM.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be given to Hancock United Church of Christ in Lexington, MA.  https://hancockchurch.org/