Mary Elizabeth Box

Mary Elizabeth (Costa) Box, of Crossville, Tn., passed away peacefully on January 1, 2026, at the age of 82.

She was born in West Warick, Rhode Island on October 5, 1943, as the daughter of Joseph and Ethel Mary (Crowther) Costa.

Mary is survived by her sister, Patricia Ann Fuller of Charlottesville, Va., son, David Box (Lori) of Grand Rapids, Mi., daughter Amy Box Fellhoelter, of Knoxville, Tn., six grandchildren, Haley, Riley, Ashley, Hannah, Jonathan, and Owen, and nephews Robert Fuller and Christopher Costa.

She was preceded in death by her brother, Charlie Costa, and sister, Nancy Quaine. Mary is reunited in heaven with her beloved husband James (Jim) Box of 46 years.

After working full time for twenty years, Mary began attending college on nights and weekends. She received a BBA Degree from Laurence Technological Institute, in Southfield, Mi., in 1988 at the age of 45 years old. She became an accountant who worked for the banking industry and then private investment firms while serving as church treasurer for Merriman Road BC. Once retired, Mary was the church treasurer for Fairfield Glade BC.

Besides being a dedicated and loving mother, Mary was an expert seamstress, loved to grow plants and flowers, and enjoyed serving and teaching at church. As a devoted follower of Christ, she valued relationships deeply, especially those with her family and friends.

A Funeral Service will be held at Merriman Road Baptist Church in Garden City, Mi., on Monday, January 5th at 11:00am. Vistiation at the church will start at 10:00am.  A Celebration of Life Service will be held at Fairfield Glade Baptist Church in Crossville, Tn., of which the date will be determined.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to be made to The Gideons International which donates bibles to share the good news of Jesus. Donations can be made at SendTheWord.org.

Please share a memory of Mary by signing her Guestbook.