May 1, 1938 - February 22, 2024
Stella Mae Cox was born on May 1, 1938, in Winona, West Virginia to Christine Margaret Cox and Grover Cleveland Cox, Sr. Her formative years growing up were spent with her maternal grandparents, Caronia Agee Shepherd and Leonard E. Shepherd, Sr.
In 1952, Stella’s parents relocated to Cleveland, Ohio. She joined her parents in Cleveland annd went on to graduate from Glenville HS before enrolling in Boston University. She transferred from BU to Kent State University, where she met the love of her life, James M. Whitley. They married in 1961 and had one child, Kent Allen Whitley.
Stella was a devoted wife, mother, and homemaker. As a wife, she was devoted to her loving husband for 59 years until his death on September 10, 2021. She was also instrumental in helping him start his own architectural firm.
As a mother, she was loving, caring and supportive of her son, encouraging him to follow in the architecture field like his father. As a homemaker, she organized the day-to-day operations of the household to make sure all ran smoothly with medical appointments, meetings, school events, and social events.
Stella loved Broadway, the Cleveland Orchestra at Blossom in the summer, and the incredible shows in Las Vegas. She had an outgoing personality and enjoyed entertaining her family and friends. Christmas was always a special time for her family with preparing, decorating, party planning, shopping, and selecting a tasty menu. She rotated holiday hosting duties with her "bestie" Kaysonia Whitley, married to her husband’s twin brother. Stella enjoyed traveling abroad, and took several such trips. She was an alumna member of the Western Reserve Chapter of The Links, Incorporated, The Carrousels Inc. Cleveland Chapter, and a founder of The Northeasterners Cleveland chapter.
She volunteered alongside her mother for more than twenty years with the Ohio Mental and Behavioral Health Department.
Stella died peacefully on February 22, 2024. Stella will be remembered for her beautiful smile, her generous heart, and her sweet spirit. Tony Jones, who grew up down the street from the Whitleys, remembers her as his babysitter when his mother was working. “She was always kind and had a gentle spirit and was always encouraging.”
Stella’s generous spirit was also appreciated by Theresa Coaxum, who welcomed her into her circle when Theresa was new to town. “She was a warm and genuine soul”, Theresa recalls. “She was authentic.”
Stella died peacefully on February 22, 2024, preceded in death by her brothers, Grover C. Cox Jr., and Anthony Corwin Cox. In addition to her son Kent [Pearl], she leaves to cherish her memory: three grandchildren, August, Zoe, and Amelia; her sister Angela (Dr. Alfred) Glover of Los Angeles; brother-in-law William Whitley of Twinsburg; two sisters-in-law, Gloria Fleming of Maui, Hawaii and Janice Carlsted of Stockholm, Sweden; eight nieces and nephews, and a host of cousins and friends.
The family will receive friends at E. F. Boyd and Son Funeral Home, 2165 East 89 St [44106] on Friday, March 22, from 5-7p. A memorial service will be held at that location on Saturday, March 23 at 1:30p, preceded by a 1p wake.
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