A "Pearl" of a Girl - Doris Betty Wilcox - Co-Founder of Wilcox Jewelers Doris Betty (Stevens) Wilcox, age 94, passed away on Wednesday, Nov. 11, at the Life Care Center in Sullivan, MO. Born in 1926 in Leasburg, MO, she was the eighth of nine children born to Roy Klyde Stevens and Hazel (Shaw) Stevens. Siblings included: John, Wayne, Edward, Lucille (Spurgeon), Glenn, Loree (Ware), Robert and Bill. She was the last living member of the original Stevens Clan. The family was raised on a farm in Cuba, MO and as the children matured some continued working on the homestead, some pursued jobs in town and others joined the military. At age 12, "Betty" moved to California with her mother to visit Hazel's family and other relatives. At age 14, she and Hazel moved back to the area but made their home in Sullivan. She completed the next 4 years at Sullivan High School, excelling in music as a strong alto in duets and quartets for school functions, as well as soloing at funerals and weddings in the community. Her friendliness and talents caught the eye of one George Wilcox, who courted her while in school. After graduating high school, Betty worked as bookkeeper for the old Brown Shoe Co. and briefly at the Clein Dry Goods Store. In 1948, Betty married "Butch" Wilcox and they began their journey to owning and running their own jewelry store, Wilcox Jewelry. He was the watchmaker, and she was the bookkeeper and in time both expanded their skills and duties. Along the way, they had four children: Glenn, Valerie, Lisa and Brian. Then in 1984, George and Betty purchased the old city bank building on main street. Glenn became an employee as their custom jewelry designer, soon arrived, daughter-in-law Marlys as a sales rep and now their two granddaughters, Heidi and Madeline playing major roles in managing and providing customer service for the store. Betty was also active in the St. Anthony Catholic Church. She participated in the church's Ladies Club, cooking/serving at Ramsey Corp Yearly Holiday Dinners, St. Anthony Picnic as a worker/donator, and even drove a minibus which carried students to and from high school at St. Francis Borgia in Washington, MO, without pay. She was a very faithful Catholic and this was exemplified at her place of business and in her home and family. When George passed away in 2014, Betty semi-retired and followed her true passion of flower gardening and landscaping, which won her the award for the "Prettiest Yard in Sullivan" from the Garden Club. She lived there in her own home until 2019 when she had a stroke and moved to her final residence at Life Care Center. Betty is survived by two of her children, Valerie AufderHeide of St. Peters, MO and Brian Wilcox and wife, Marlys, of Sullivan, MO; five grandchildren: Heidi Wilcox and fiancé, Nasser Azazi, of Sullivan, MO, Morgan Keence and husband, Anthony, of O’Fallon, MO, Clark Wilcox and wife, Nicole, of Sullivan, MO, Lydia Stack and husband, Jonathan, of Sullivan, MO and Madeline Wilcox of Sullivan, MO; four great-grandchildren: Sean, Everlee, Maxwell and Claire; and nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends. Betty will be lovingly missed by both family and friends. She was preceded in death by her husband, George “Butch” Wilcox; two children, Glenn Wilcox and Lisa Marie Wilcox Coonan; her parents, Roy and Hazel Stevens; and eight siblings: John, Wayne, Ed, Bob and Bill Stevens, Lucy Spurgeon and Loree Ware. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 11:00 AM, Thursday, November 19, 2020 at St. Anthony Catholic Church in Sullivan, with Father Paul Telken officiating. The family will receive friends from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM, prior to Mass at St. Anthony Catholic Church. A private burial will follow in St. Anthony Cemetery. Memorial contributions in Betty’s memory may be made to the Meramec Community Mission or HALO. Friends may send online condolences to Betty’s family at www.eatonfuneralhome.com All arrangements were under the care of the Eaton Funeral Home and Cremation Center of Sullivan.