Gregory Ives Cox, a friend to all, a stranger to none, died on Sunday, May 23, at Novant Hospital in Winston-Salem. She was 68.
Greg persevered despite a lifetime of health challenges. She made friends easily, as she shared stories about her life and interests, while always asking about others’ jobs, children, and any recent fun activities. With a sense of humor and unexpected wit, she would create a comfortable give-and-take in person or on the phone. This was only disrupted by call waiting. She then would quickly excuse herself and was on to the next conversation with one of her many friends.
Ironically, friendships did not come easily early in life.

Born to Katherine Ives Cox and Robert Martin Cox on August 12, 1952, Greg was diagnosed at birth with Apert’s Syndrome, a rare genetic disorder, by Dr. Eben Alexander, Jr., who became chair of the Neurosurgery Department at the Bowman Gray School of Medicine.

The irregular formation of her skull, fingers an dtoes required many operaations, but allowed room for her brian to grow and allowed for greater manual dexterity.

Her facial features led some schoolmates to tease her, and it was not until after she graduated from Elwyn Institutes in Elwyn, Pa that she felt confident enough to look herself in the mirror and accept the difference in her physical appearance.  June Levitt the Director of Girls @ Elwyn, had encouraged her to be a friend of girls who had more severe problems than her own.  Through many hours of talking to the girls, Greg realized she made them feel comfortable and they liked her.  Years later Ms. Levitt told Greg she had wanted her to build self-confidence and realize she had something to offer others.  In 1983, Greg returned to Elwyn to receive the Alumni of the Year Award.

When Greg graduated from Elwyn, she never dreamed that she would get her driver's license, hold down a job, live in an apartment, and be an active volunteer in the W-Salem community.  For 5 years after graduation from Elwyn, she worked as a CNA in a nursing home, and in a sheltered workshop.

It was not until Wachovia Bank employed her that she felt like she was going to make it on her own.  Wachovia saw her potential and trained and supported her throughout her more than 25 years career as a mail clerk in Student Financial Services.  In 1978, only 1 year aftr beginning work at Wachovia, Greg was named the Handicapped Employee of the Year by the W-Salem Mayor's Committee.  Greg sang for many years in the community Handel's Messiah, made cookies for children at Brenner's Children Hospital, sang in the choir at First Prebsyterian Church, and knitted blankets for friends' babies.

She valued her extended family and her church friends at First Prebsyterian.  They did tasks and errands for her and visited regularly during her 20 years living at The Oaks Healthcare facility when she could no longer walk due to complications from Apert's.  Up until last year's Covid restrictions and her declining health, Greg guided her motorized wheelchair around The Oaks' hallways, greeting and talking to staff.

Greg was predeceased by her parents, and her step father, Joel Gheesling.  She will be missed by her sister Katherine Michalove (Gary), niece Hannah Michalove, nephew Will Michalove (Anna) and numerous other family members and friends.

There will be a private graveside service at Forsyth Memorial Park on Friday, May 28, followed by a Memorial Service at 11am at First Presbyterian, 300 N. Cherry St., W-Salem.