Beverly J. Cox, 96

Beverly J. Cox, 96, of Blair, died Thursday, Nov. 14, 2013, in Blair.

Services will be 10 a.m., Thursday, Nov. 21, at St. Paul United Methodist Church in Omaha. Interment will be private. Visitation will be 5 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 20, with family receiving friends from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at Sievers-Sprick Funeral Home in Fort Calhoun.

Beverly J. Hennings was born Aug. 28, 1917, in Polk County to Clyde William and Myrtle Iona (Anderson) Hennings.

She attended country school until her junior year of high school and then attended Stromsburg High School. She got her learner’s permit to drive during her senior year of high school, graduating at the age of 15 in 1933.

She attended York College for two years to obtain her teaching certificate. She taught at Blue Union School for two years, in Henderson for one year, and for the York School system for three years prior to marrying Howell W. Cox on June 8, 1941, in Polk County.

After moving to Omaha, she was vocal music accompanist at North High School for 25 years.

She played the piano for Green’s Chapel Church and for her father’s quartet while still in high school. She played for First Methodist Church in Stromsburg for many years and was the first organist on their new organ until the family moved to Omaha in 1954. She was organist at St. Paul Methodist Church until her retirement, playing in both the chapel and on the pipe organ in the main sanctuary.

She played for sing-a-longs at Carter House for a short period of time after retiring from the Omaha Public Schools and St. Paul’s Church. Once she moved to the Crowell Home campus in Blair, she played for chapel for many years and continued to play for the Crowell Home sing-a-longs until just prior to her death.

Mrs. Cox loved flowers and was a member of the Orchid Society and Garden Club in Omaha for many years along with her husband.

She was a member of the Fort Calhoun Women’s Club and the Washington County Historical Association until her move to Blair. She was an avid reader and puzzler until her death.

She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Kathryn (Guenther) Schwartz of Blair; her son and daughter-in-law, Curtis W. (Vicki) Cox of Lorton, Va.; brother Merwin (Don) Hennings of Georgetown, Texas; grandchildren: Elizabeth S. Schwartz, Christopher P. Schwartz, Eric W. Cox; three nephews; and many friends.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Howell W. Cox; brother Virgil Hennings; infant brother Oliver Grae Hennings; and nephew Britt Hennings.

Memorials may be directed to the donor's choice.

Published in Omaha World-Herald from Nov. 17 to Nov. 20, 2013

Cox, Beverly J.

Age 96

Blair, NE. Born August 28, 1917, Polk County, NE. Died November 14, 2013, Blair, NE. Preceded in death by husband, Howell W. Cox; brother, Virgil Hennings; infant brother, Oliver Grae Hennings; nephew, Britt Hennings. Survived by daughter and son-in-law, Kathryn (Guenther) Schwartz of Blair; son and daughter-in-law, Curtis W. (Vicki) Cox of Lorton, VA; brother, Merwin (Don) Hennings of Georgetown, TX; grandchildren, Elizabeth S. Schwartz, Christopher P. Schwartz, Eric W. Cox; 3 nephews, and many friends.

VISITATION 5-8pm, Wednesday, November 20, 2013 with Family Receiving Friends from 6:30-8pm at Sievers-Sprick Funeral Home, Fort Calhoun, NE. MEMORIAL SERVICE 10am, Thursday, November 21, 2013 at St. Paul United Methodist Church, Omaha, NE. Private Interment. Memorials suggested to the giver's choice.

SIEVERS-SPRICK Ft. Calhoun, NE 402-468-5678