Linda Lou Cox, affectionately known as “Granny,” passed away peacefully at her home in Ankeny, Iowa, on Friday, June 20, 2025, at the age of 81.
A Celebration of Life will be held Sunday, Aug. 10 from 1-3 p.m. at the Willow on Grand at 6011 Grand Ave. in Des Moines. Please stop by to celebrate Linda’s life and the wonderful, feisty, funny, giving and loving Granny we were so lucky to know. Come share your stories, your laughter and your love as we honor the incredible woman she was.
Linda was born Oct. 23, 1943, in Des Moines, Iowa, the second child born to Lloyd and Edith May.
While living in Cumming, she attended a one-room schoolhouse and helped raise her younger siblings. The family later moved to West Des Moines, where she spent her teenage years.
Linda spent a great deal of time with her aunt, Sherry “Pug” Berry, whose close presence and influence not only shaped her teen years but ultimately led to her meeting the love of her life, Sidney “Sid” Cox. After a brief courtship, they were united in marriage on Oct. 21, 1961, at the United Methodist Church in Bagley.
Most weekends you could find them camping, boating and fishing with their close group of friends.
In December 1962, they welcomed their first son, Jeffery, to their family of two.
When Jeffery was 5 or 6, Sid and Linda opened Sid’s Tap just a few blocks from their home. You could order ahead and pick it up at the back door, creating a local hotspot for cold drinks and good company.
In 1971 they welcomed their second son, Darin, into the family.
Sid and Linda made their home in Bagley, Panora, Yale and Perry. Linda worked at Meadow Gold in Perry for 25 years, where she was well loved by her coworkers.
Known for her strong work ethic, Linda led by example, and this trait rubbed off on her children, who admired her dedication and perseverance. She was a role model in every sense of the word, demonstrating the value of hard work and family.
The Cox house was always the favorite stop in the summer for all the neighbor kids, who knew they could count on free ice cream and a welcoming place to hang out.
Jeff always called Mom’s 1980 Chevy Luv “Blue Belle,” the sister we never had — and he wasn’t wrong. Linda bought her brand new, and from day one that little blue truck became part of the family. Blue Belle hauled groceries, furniture, bikes and more than a few big dreams. She helped move kids to college, first apartments and even helped haul boxes when the grandkids came along.
Through it all, she was steady, dependable and somehow full of personality. Now, all these years later, Jeff is restoring her with the same care and love she’s shown us. It’s more than just a truck — it’s a tribute to Mom, to our family’s journey and to the sister we never had who’s been there the whole way.
In the early ’90s, Sid and Linda decided to move south to Arizona, hoping to enjoy the warmer temperatures and leave the cold Iowa winters behind. They spent 10 years there, savoring the warm weather, the new friendships and never missed a happy hour.
Eventually, they decided to return to Iowa, settling on Lake Ponderosa in Montezuma. They wanted to be closer to family and reconnect with old friends. They loved their lake house, enjoyed working in their beautiful yard and especially treasured living near Linda’s brother, Morris, and his wife, Sue. They also grew very close to neighbors Mack and Shirley.
Not only did they love the lake, but they were also known to take in a stray cat or two, as well as their neighbor’s dog, Daisy. Whether playing endless rounds of the card game 31, sipping on an ice-cold Diet Pepsi or receiving daily phone calls from her grandson, Kory, Linda brought joy, humor, the best pumpkin brownies and heart to every gathering.
Linda had a passion for gardening, and her yard was a true reflection of her nurturing nature. She loved tending to her flowers and plants, and it was easy to see how much care and love she put into each bloom. Gardening was a source of peace and pride for her, and she took great joy in watching things grow.
In 2017 Sid and Linda decided it was time to pack up and move to Ankeny. They found a cute little ranch on a quiet street, which became their peaceful haven where they could relax and enjoy life. They would take many spontaneous car rides together, with no destination in mind — just get in the car and drive. More often than not, you could find them enjoying a cold one and a tenderloin sandwich along the way.
Linda was a proud and passionate Iowa State men’s basketball fan — she never missed a game and loved listening to John Walters and Eric Heft call the action. During March Madness, you could always find Granny glued to the TV. Go Cyclones!
Linda’s greatest joy was her family, and she leaves behind a legacy of love, laughter and unwavering support. Left to cherish Linda’s memory are her children, Jeffery (Traci) Cox of Fredericksburg, Virginia, and Darin (Stacy) Cox of Ankeny; her grandchildren, Kory, Kiel (Lisa), Carson (Victoria), McKenna, Cooper and Quinn; step-grandson, Austin; and great-grandchildren, Graham, Phoenix, Eleanor and Sydney. She is also survived by her sisters, Nancy May, Vicki May, Toni May, Mindy (Bill) Blue; and brothers Terry (Joe) May, Greg (Valerie) May, John (Lori) May and Jim (April) May, all of Des Moines.
Linda was preceded in death by both of her parents, Lloyd and Edith May; her step-mother, Beverly; her spouse, Sidney Cox; as well as her brothers, Ralph May, Morris May, Floyd May, Gary May and Mike May.
Her memory will live on in the lives of all who knew her. We will miss you so much, Granny!
