Ila Cox McAllister, 84, died August 5, 2001, at the Red Cliffs Regional Center.

She was born May 1, 1917, in St. George, Utah, to Elizabeth Leany and the first DDS in St. George, Wilford C. Cox. She married DeVere R. McAllister on September 28, 1938 in St. George. Although the first and final years of her life were spent in St. George, she spent most of her life with her husband wherever his duties took him, including Ft. Collins, CO; Albuquerque and Hatch, NM; Ames, IA; Beaver, Providence and Logan, UT; and La Paz and Santa Cruz, Bolivia. She also traveled widely to visit her children who are scattered from coast to coast, as well as to sightsee.

Throughout most of her life, Ila typed manuscripts at home, primarily theses and dissertations for graduate students. She worked as a legal secretary prior to her marriage and was secretary to the Vice President of Finance for USU for several years after her children were older.

Those she assisted were most fortunate, as her typing and editing skills were excellent. She also taught piano. Ila was a lifelong member of the LDS Church and served in many capacities. She served with her husband when he was a mission president in Bolivia from 1975 to 1978. She was also a longtime accompanist on organ and piano, and performed many years of service for the church in genealogy records, extraction, data entry and temple work. Ila loved music, literature, poetry and sewing. She is especially remembered for her poems in letters, birthday cards and greeting cards. She made beautiful quilts and needlework. She was a sensitive and creative soul with a beautiful smile and a big heart who always made those around her feel at ease.

She is survived by her husband, DeVere; her children, Claranita Ernstrom of Martinez, CA (spouse of Wayne; five children and three grandchildren), Francis of Mesquite, NV (spouse of Marcia, seven children and 10 grandchildren), Mary Bold of San Francisco (spouse of Mark, one child), Ray of Derwood, MD (spouse of Juanita, two children, one grandchild), Wilford of Salt Lake City (spouse of Zelda, two children) and LeAnne Loosle of Logan (spouse of Craig, four children).She is also survived by her brothers, Everard and John Bevelere Cox, and her sister, Carol Watkins. She was preceded in death by her parents and a brother El Myrrh.

https://www.deseret.com/2001/8/8/19625556/obituary-ila-cox-mcallister/