Elizabeth Dawn Cox

Elizabeth Dawn “Lyz” Cox, 35, of Columbus, Ohio (formerly of Wilmington) passed away Tuesday, March 17, 2026 surrounded by her family.  She was born October 12, 1990 in Wilmington, a daughter of Debbie Decker Cox and David Cox.   She was a 2009 graduate of Wilmington High School and attended Wilmington College.

Lyz worked as a veterinary assistant at TAHO in Columbus. She enjoyed going to raves and concerts, listening to music, traveling, and spending time with friends.

In addition to her parents, Lyz is survived by her brother, Ryan (Megan) Thompson of Wilmington, Ohio; nieces, Ava Thompson and Gabby Thompson; grandparents, Patricia and Bill Coates; aunts and uncles,  Donna (Jason Nichols) Decker, Mike (Kathy) Decker, Danny (Lorry) Cox, Larry Jimison, Tammy (Dotson King) Purdue, and several other aunts and uncles; a cousins, Kelly Decker and Kristina (Evan) Hilderbrandt and their son, Owen; her companion, Justin Priest; her fur-babies, Blaze, Bowser and Ripley; as well as numerous friends who were extremely important to her.

She was preceded in death by grandparents, Robert and Brenda Decker, and Herbert Cox.

The family will receive friends from 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM, Saturday, March 28, 2026 at Smith Funeral Home, 327 N. South Street, Wilmington, Ohio followed by a memorial service at 1:00 PM, Saturday.  Interment will be in Sugar Grove Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in Lyz’s memory may be made online to TAHO at animalhealth.org/donations or to The James Cancer Center for melanoma research at giveto.osu.edu/makeagift/details/310921.

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