Gwen Cox Dyrud

Gwen Cox Dyrud, 86, of Laurel, Maryland passed away peacefully on April 3, 2023. Born on June 21, 1936 in Loving Texas (Young County); she was the oldest of three daughters born to Oleta Deering Cox and John Malcolm Mox. She was blessed with an older sister, Oleta Mae (Cox) Roark. Gwen graduated from Graham High School in 1954 and furthered her education by graduating from Baylor University. She then moved to Maryland for additional education and began a long career of teaching and retired from Duval High School in Lanham, Maryland.

Gwen always welcomed guests in her home, especially family and friends from Texas and elsewhere. Gwen was the ultimate hostess and was tour guide for Washington, D.C. to her many, many guests visiting from all over; she knew more about Washington, D.C. than most of their own tour guides.

She was truly the most generous person as she heaped gifts on God-daughters, sisters, nieces, nephews and others. She always declared that she was a True Texan and visited often through the years to reconnect with her large, blended family. She loved Texas memorabilia and the Dallas Cowboys. 

Her husband of 49 years, Chet Dyrud, of Thief Rivers Falls, Minnesota, passed away in 2020. They travelled extensively, especially to Hawaii, and had homes in Ocean City, Maryland and Sarasota, Florida, and again welcomed guests frequently to those locations. 

Gwen is survived by three sisters: Marlene Champion (Richard), Maxine Tucker (Charles), Betty Frazer; brother, Willard Schlittler (LaDonna); best friend, Rosalie Wheatley, two God-daughters: Wendy Maynor and Anne Sparkman, and numerous beloved nieces and nephews that she loved dearly.

Gwen was preceded in death by her parents: Malcolm and Oleta Cox; step mother, Elima Schlittler Cox; sister, Oleta Roark; brother, John Schlittler and two brother-in-laws: Wayne Roark and Wally Frazer.

Celebration of Life: June 10th, 2023 at 11AM at Morrison Funeral Home, Graham, Texas with a brief visitation to follow. Burial will be at Loving Cemetery. 

Please make any donations to Loving Cemetery Assn., P.O. Box 9, Loving, Texas, 76460, or charity of choice. 

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