Obituary of Barbara Lynn (Cox) Galloway

      Barbara was born on July 6, 1933 in Mendocino, California, to Wendell and Bess Forney.  She grew up on the coast with a big sister and brother, and a third brother that joined the family when she was in high school.  She had a fun and carefree childhood on the Mendocino coast and we loved hearing of her childhood adventures with her siblings.  Such as, sneaking out of her 2^nd floor bedroom window with her big brother, Phil, to go swimming in the ocean at midnight, stealing the money from the church collection plate (at her big brother’s coaxing) for a few hours before confessing and returning it to their pastor, and the antics continued. 

      Barbara graduated from Greenville High School in 1950 and married LeGrande Cox, Jr. on October 21, 1950.  Their first son, Alan, was born in 1952 and passed away in early March of 1954.  Their second son, Brian, was born shortly after Alan’s death.  Barb, Lee, and Brian moved to Idaho in the fall of 1954 to join Lee’s parents.  They added a daughter, Leona, and another son, Bradley, to their family.  Barbara worked for the telephone company and a florist for several years before beginning her career in banking.  She was well known for her many years as a teller, operations manager, and loan officer with First Security Bank.   Barbara and Lee divorced in 1984. 

     She married Don Galloway in 1987 in Concord, California and joined him in running Don’s family business, Laila’s Florist, until Don’s retirement in 1997.   They sold the floral shop in 2004 and moved to Idaho to be near her children.  Barbara was an avid Caldwell YMCA member and made many friends during her 5:00 am workouts until her arthritis limited her mobility. Barbara loved people and struck up conversations with anyone close by wherever she happened to be.  She made many friends and touched many hearts in her nearly-ninety years.

      Barbara was preceded in death by her parents and two older siblings, her sons Alan and Bradley, and a beloved grandson, Adam Cox.  She is survived by her younger brother, Steve Forney, her daughter Leona Fouts (Phil), son Brian Cox (Cindy), daughter-in-law Kathy Cox, her six beautiful and smart grandchildren, thirteen adorable great-grandchildren, whose names she couldn’t always keep straight, and seven beloved nieces and nephews and their children.

      Barbara’s faith was strong.  Her two favorite wall plaques read, “Jesus knows me, this I love” and “Be Still and Know That I Am”.  She passed away peacefully on July 4, 2023.  The family is grateful for the loving care and compassion of the staff at Caldwell Grace Assisted Living during her last years, and for the dignity of her passing aided by All Care Health & Hospice. 

      A graveside service will be held Monday, July 10^th, at 11:00 am at Canyon Hill Cemetery in Caldwell, under the direction of Flahiff Funeral Chapel.  Colorful and casual attire is welcome and would be appreciated by Barbara.