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Additional WILCOX Surnames in SPRING HILL Cemetery
WILCOX, Barbara Ann (Triplet)WILCOX, Suellen (Triplet)WILCOX, RuthWILCOX, Freddie FranklinWILCOX, Joy NaomiWILCOX, Jack EllzeyWILCOX, Herbert V.WILCOX, Sibyl G.WILCOX, Lee DennisWILCOX, Rube WileyWILCOX, Minnie G.WILCOX, VelmaWILCOX, Freddie ByronWILCOX, Dennis E.WILCOX, Sally J.WILCOX, Jake Wiley (Photo)WILCOX, Justin Edward (Photo)WILCOX, Justin EdwardWILCOX, Jared Heath (Overview)WILCOX, Justin Edward (Overview)WILCOX, Jake Wiley (Overview)WILCOX, Wiley ChristopherWILCOX, Samuel DoyneWILCOX, Herbert "Herbie" CarlWILCOX, Bobby VadenWILCOX, Jimmie WayneWILCOX, Samuel WayneWILCOX, SamWILCOX, ClariceWILCOX, Paul (PJ)WILCOX, Kenneth Additional WILCOX Surnames in FAULKNER County
WILCOX, Autry PearlWILCOX, Era FranciesWILCOX, Era Frances (Close Up)WILCOX, George W.WILCOX, Infant DaughterWILCOX, Jessie MaeWILCOX, Joe CWILCOX, Lee DennisWILCOX, Patsy AnnWILCOX, PatsyWILCOX, Shelby JeanWILCOX, Wallace J
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Submitted: 10/21/15 • Approved: 11/18/15 • Last Updated: 4/9/18 • R1104330-G0-S3
Dec. 20, 1979 - Nov. 9, 1989
nytimes.com
Organs of 3 Fire Victims Help Keep Others Alive
AP
Published: December 27, 198
BALD KNOB, Ark., Dec. 26— When a fire killed their three young sons last month, Dubby and Diana Wilcox were approached about donating the children's organs. At first they said no, but after considering what they thought the boys would have wanted, they changed their minds.
Two days later the heart of 10-year-old Jared Wilcox was beating in the body of a 48-year-old Arkansas woman. Jared's liver, and that of his 9-year-old brother, Jake, were transplanted into the bodies of a 14-year-old Pennsylvania boy and a 33-year-old woman from North Carolina. And the boys' kidneys went to four Arkansas residents.
Those who know the Wilcoxes said their decision was typical of their unselfishness. As word of the deaths and the fire spread, friends, neighbors and even strangers responded.
In a few hours a radio station's plea for help generated thousands of dollars. A restaurant planned a benefit dinner, church groups provided food and children collected donations. A Rent-Free House
Others in Bald Knob, a town of 2,700 people about 60 miles northeast of Little Rock, contributed clothing, furniture, appliances, vehicles, utilities and even a house, provided rent-free for the next year and renovated in a day's time by dozens of volunteers.
Mrs. Wilcox cried as she recalled entering the home for the first time. ''You couldn't move,'' she said. ''There were people lined up all along the walls. And they all hollered, 'Welcome home!' ''
The three Wilcox children were asleep on the morning of Nov. 8 when Mrs. Wilcox drove her husband to work just a few blocks away. In those few minutes, the house filled with smoke, because what Police Chief Dave Miller said was a short circuit.
Justin Wilcox, who was 5 years old, died of smoke inhalation that morning. His older brothers died the next day, also from of smoke inhalation. 'A Gift of Life'
Mrs. Wilcox said the knowledge that her children saved lives was comforting. ''There's people that've got loved ones because of my boys,'' she said.
The transplant of Jared's heart to Mary E. Wilson of Jacksonville allowed her to celebrate Christmas with her family. She said Monday she hoped to meet Jared's parents.
''I feel that it was a gift from that family, a gift of life from that family,'' Ms. Wilson said. ''I'm really anxious to get to know them. I just feel like I'm part of their family now.''
The Wilcoxes' generosity has also helped others who need an organ transplant, said Bobby Cumberland, executive director of the Arkansas Regional Organ Recovery Agency in Little Rock.
''We had more organ donor referrals in November than in any month in our history, and I think a large part of that is due to this family's decision to tell their story,'' he said. An Outpouring of Gifts
Their story has touched people around the country. The couple received about 3,000 letters. Donations have swelled to more than $20,000.
Alan Risener of radio station KWCK in nearby Searcy called the response to the station's on-air request for donations unbelievable.
''Within a few minutes we had $500,'' he said. ''Within three hours we had $6,000, and it just continued to climb.''
After the boys died, friends of the Wilcoxes feared the couple might leave Bald Knob.
''I didn't want them leaving,'' Jimmy Harper said. ''I felt that if they left, it would have been a big loss in the community.''
Mr. Harper said some friends decided to take on renovation of the house offered by two real estate agents, Lynn and Verla Davis. More than 50 people showed up to help.
The house was little more than a shell. But in nine hours volunteers installed electrical wiring, plumbing, a septic tank, a water line, a heating unit, appliances and bathroom fixtures.
The workers cleaned, painted, hung curtains and stocked the pantry and medicine chest. And to make the house a home, volunteers decorated the walls with items from their own walls.
''This is the closest to home right now we can get,'' Mrs. Wilcox said.
Photos of Mary E. Wilson of Jacksonville, Ark.; Jared Wilcox, who died in a fire in his home in Bald Knob, Ark. and donated his heart to Mary (AP)
Contributed on 10/21/15 by hawkinsdonna48
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Record #: 1104330