Nancy Margaret Willis
15 September 1923 - 31 May 2004
Nancy was born at the Rushton Private Hospital in Cecil Street, Toowoomba. She was the second youngest of Will and Hilary's five children. Nancy's formative years were spent growing up on a pineapple farm at Woombye with her parents and her older brothers Ralph, Howard and Roy, and her younger sister Ailsa. Their home became the first meeting place for Jehovah’s Witnesses on the Sunshine Coast. Her mother taught music so Nancy became an accomplished pianist. Nancy's mother also taught her about the finer things such as proper etiquette and needlecraft. At the age of 12, Nancy won the adult 1st prize for knitting at the Royal Brisbane Exhibition. Throughout her life Nancy had great joy in sharing the fruits of her needlecraft talent with many others.
Nancy was baptised in June 1939 and shortly after joined with Brother Lance Livingston and his wife, sharing with them in the full-time ministry throughout Central Queensland. Their role was similar to circuit work today. Nancy was invited to work at Bethel in Sydney during the early part of World War II. She lived in a Bethel home at Liverpool with other Christian brothers and sisters who worked in the Society’s local sawmills, bakery and farm. She also ran a cake shop in Liverpool called “Nancy’s Cake Shop”. It was here that Nancy met her future husband John (Jack) Cox, who was working at the Ingleburn Bethel farm.
Throughout her life Nancy’s love for her Lord did not waver. She was known for her loving kindness and compassion for all. Her serene and gentle nature has had a lasting effect on all her family. She was a faithful friend and confidante to Jack. She was a ‘real lady’, a wonderful gentle mother, and a fine example as a loyal Christian wife.
Nancy rests at the Mt Thompson Memorial Gardens along with her parents Will and Hilary and her aunt Phyllis (<https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/206670212/nancy-margaret-cox>).
Nancy was born at the Rushton Private Hospital in Cecil Street, Toowoomba. She was the second youngest of Will and Hilary's five children. Nancy's formative years were spent growing up on a pineapple farm at Woombye with her parents and her older brothers Ralph, Howard and Roy, and her younger sister Ailsa. Their home became the first meeting place for Jehovah’s Witnesses on the Sunshine Coast. Her mother taught music so Nancy became an accomplished pianist. Nancy's mother also taught her about the finer things such as proper etiquette and needlecraft. At the age of 12, Nancy won the adult 1st prize for knitting at the Royal Brisbane Exhibition. Throughout her life Nancy had great joy in sharing the fruits of her needlecraft talent with many others.
Nancy was baptised in June 1939 and shortly after joined with Brother Lance Livingston and his wife, sharing with them in the full-time ministry throughout Central Queensland. Their role was similar to circuit work today. Nancy was invited to work at Bethel in Sydney during the early part of World War II. She lived in a Bethel home at Liverpool with other Christian brothers and sisters who worked in the Society’s local sawmills, bakery and farm. She also ran a cake shop in Liverpool called “Nancy’s Cake Shop”. It was here that Nancy met her future husband John (Jack) Cox, who was working at the Ingleburn Bethel farm.
Throughout her life Nancy’s love for her Lord did not waver. She was known for her loving kindness and compassion for all. Her serene and gentle nature has had a lasting effect on all her family. She was a faithful friend and confidante to Jack. She was a ‘real lady’, a wonderful gentle mother, and a fine example as a loyal Christian wife.
Nancy rests at the Mt Thompson Memorial Gardens along with her parents Will and Hilary and her aunt Phyllis (<https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/206670212/nancy-margaret-cox>).
John (Jack) Cox
3 March 1920 - 20 November 1990
Jack was born in Toowoomba. During his life Jack worked in a variety of occupations including shop keeper, farmer, sales representative, and bus driver. Like Nancy, Jack was known for his strong devotion to his faith and often served in ministry roles.
Jack was born in Toowoomba. During his life Jack worked in a variety of occupations including shop keeper, farmer, sales representative, and bus driver. Like Nancy, Jack was known for his strong devotion to his faith and often served in ministry roles.
Nancy and Jack
Nancy and Jack met while they were both working at the Ingleburn Bethel farm. After they married in Cabramatta, NSW, on 27 June 1944 they left Bethel service and travelled north to Queensland to serve in ministry. It was during this time that Nancy became very ill, so they settled at Nambour. Jack worked on the pineapple farm at Woombye with the Willis family. Their eldest daughter and eldest son were born during this period. Nancy and Jack also had to endure the sorrow of losing a newly born son, Geoffrey.
Early in 1950 Nancy and Jack moved to Redland Bay where Jack was employed as a bus driver for 18 months. In 1951, they moved to a farm at Stokers Siding, NSW, to help the local congregation at Murwillumbah get underway. In 1953, the family lost all their possessions in a catastrophic flood. Their youngest daughter was born soon afterwards in 1954. They moved to Ballina in 1956 to help start the local congregation there. Their youngest sons were born while they were living at Ballina. The family remained there until 1965 when they moved to Warwick to serve.
Early in 1950 Nancy and Jack moved to Redland Bay where Jack was employed as a bus driver for 18 months. In 1951, they moved to a farm at Stokers Siding, NSW, to help the local congregation at Murwillumbah get underway. In 1953, the family lost all their possessions in a catastrophic flood. Their youngest daughter was born soon afterwards in 1954. They moved to Ballina in 1956 to help start the local congregation there. Their youngest sons were born while they were living at Ballina. The family remained there until 1965 when they moved to Warwick to serve.
Descendant Chart and report
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