Edith Earlene (Wallace) Steele Cox was born in Vinita, Craig County, Oklahoma on 16 August, 1947 to Harold and Hazel (Matti) Wallace. She died 7 February, 2024 at Hospice of West Alabama, in Tuscaloosa, Tuscaloosa County, Alabama after a lengthy battle with Lewy Body dementia. 

Edith grew up on the family farm outside of Bluejacket, Craig County, Oklahoma. She attended Bluejacket Public Schools, graduating in 1965. She attended Northeast Area Vo-Tech in Afton, Ottawa County, Oklahoma where she received her LPN license in 1979. Edith worked at Miami Baptist Hospital in Miami, Ottawa County, Oklahoma and Home of Hope in Vinita, Craig County, Oklahoma. She worked in home health care while living in Alabama. Edith had a special gift of working with those who could not take care of themselves. Her love was expressed through her caring of every person she came in contact with. Even those family members who lived back in Oklahoma were known to get calls from her checking up on them; taking care of them like a nurse does. At some point, she could no longer do her duties, suffering from Lewy Body Disease but that didn't stop her compassion and love for people.

Edith married Joseph Lawrence "Larry" Steele 19 August 1965 in Welch, Craig County, Oklahoma at the First Baptist Church. To this union was born Gary Joe Steele and Robert Joe Steele. Edith and Larry were divorced in 1973.

Edith married Roy Gene Cox on 24 November 1973 in Vinita, Craig County, Oklahoma. To this union was born Brandilyn Renee "Brandi" Cox.

Edith and Roy and their family moved to Tuscaloosa, Alabama in 1986 when her husband, Roy, who worked for BF Goodrich, was transferred there to work. Picking up and moving to a new state brought new challenges: new schools, new jobs, new friends, and a new way of life. The family thrived but Edith longed for her Oklahoma roots. She had many hobbies that filled her time: gardening, cooking, reading, antiquing, being outdoors, and spending time with her family, especially with her grandchildren Emma Faith Appling, Matthew Steele and Nicole Steele. 

Edith is survived by her husband, Roy, of 50 years; son, Gary (Kristen) Steele; daughter, Brandi (Jeff) Hinton; grandchildren, Matt Steele, Nicole (Jeremy) Poole, Emma Appling, Grandy Hinton, Kara (Matt) Crafton, Kayla (Chris) Mammedaty, Logan (Kaitlyn) Volrath; great-grandchildren, Melanie Crafton, Andrew Mammedaty, Camden Mammedaty; brothers-in-law, Leon Long and Joe Cox (Diane); sisters-in-law, Frances Wallace and Ruth Branam; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Edith is preceded in death by her parents, Harold and Hazel (Matti) Wallace; infant son, Robert Steele; sisters, Thelma Walker, Ida Mae Long; brothers, James Wallace, Paul Wallace; stepdaughter, Mary Braden; daughter-in-law, Carrie Steele; sister-in-law, Judy Wallace; brother-in-law, Jess Walker; niece, Linda Neill (who was more like a sister than her niece), and nephew Ed Walker.

Edith was cremated and is buried at the Welch Cemetery in Welch, Craig County, Oklahoma. Her long-awaited time of wanting to return to Oklahoma is now complete. She is buried among her many relatives and friends. She will be greatly missed by all who came in contact with her. She has been reunited with her family in Heaven and what a celebration they all must be having.