Violet Rosalea ‘Rose’ Cox

FILLMORE — Violet Rosalea “Rose” Cox, age 96, a former resident of Fillmore and Nunda, died peacefully Saturday (Aug. 9, 2025) at Livingston County Skilled Nursing Facility, Mt. Morris, with her family by her side.

She was born Feb. 23, 1929, in Olean, the daughter of the late Leroy and Doris Haynes Vandruff. Rose was the eldest of two children and grew up in Wellsville.

Rose attended and graduated from Houghton Academy. She met Ralph and they married on Aug. 21, 1948.

When they were a young couple and newly married Rose worked at The Knitting Mill in Mt. Morris. They settled in Barkertown, Nunda, where they began to raise their children and eventually settled in Fillmore, where they spent the next 40 years.

In 1966, she and Ralph opened their first NAPA store (Nunda Auto Parts) in Nunda. They grew their business and eventually owned five NAPA stores in various towns with their son Randy. Rose also dedicated her time to supporting Ralph by managing the NAPA store’s bookkeeping.

Rose devoted her life to caring for her husband and children, and found great joy in spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Her legacy will live on in the hearts of all who knew her. Her radiant smile could brighten any room and she had the best giggle.  She was an extraordinary woman who never failed to encourage and uplift those around her.

Surviving are her five children, Larry (Pam) Cox of Anderson, S.C., Janice (Bill) Hudson of Dalton, Randy (Marcie) Cox of Nunda, Jody (Chandler) Cutting of Hummelstown, Pa. and Renee (David) Fanaro of Leicester; 14 grandchildren; 39 great-grandchildren; four great-great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.

In addition to her husband and her parents, she was predeceased by a son, Gary Cox; and a sister, Beverly Higley.

A private graveside service will be held in Oakwood Cemetery, Nunda. Pastor Chandler Cutting, Rose’s son-in-law, will officiate. Family and friends are welcome to join in celebrating her life and to gather for a luncheon at 12:30 p.m. Thursday (Aug. 14, 2025) at the Masonic Hall in Nunda on State Street.

Memorials may be made to Livingston County Hospice or Livingston County Center for Nursing and Rehabilitation Recreation Program.

Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the Kopler-Williams Funeral Home, 21 N. Genesee St., Fillmore.

Online condolences may be made at www.koplerwilliamsfuneralhome.com.