Metzel Lee Willcox (Mickey Painter) nee’ Oliver, passed away peacefully in her home, surrounded and supported by her children and family. Mickey was born on May 5th, 1937, in Chesapeake, West Virginia. She was a cheerleader at Eastbank High School (1953-1955) in Chelyan, West Virginia, where she also served as Treasurer in Girls State in 1954. Mickey had an excellent sense of humor and remained an avid reader her entire life.
She was preceded in death by her husband of 48 years, Alton Ray Willcox, and by her parents, Arbutus Love (Selbe) Oliver and Douglas Franklin Oliver. Mickey grew up in Cabin Creek, West Virginia, as the middle child of two brothers, John Wesley Oliver (deceased), Phyllis Summers Oliver-Cole, and brother James Loren Oliver (deceased), Maxie Ann (Maddox) Oliver.
Mickey moved to Cleveland, Ohio, in 1960 and was the mother of Karen Elizabeth Painter Baum (Harold, Rachel, and Adam Feig), Gordon Eric Painter (Jane), Kevin Douglas Painter (Kris), and Susan Gail Painter. Stepmother of 50 years to James Willcox, (Drita), Dawn Willcox-Auble (Doug). Grandmother to Shawna Rowe-Ortiz (Osiris), Dmitriy Meltzer, and Rachel LaForce (Alex Gettlin), Jared (Grace), and Ramona Auble. She is a great-grandmother to Ethan, Reese, and Mia Ortiz, Isabelle and Olivia Meltzer, Jonah, and Theodore Gettlin, Mae and Leon Auble. Her nieces and nephews loved Aunt Mickey.
During her professional career in Cleveland, she worked for White Motors, Alling and Cory, and later retired from American Greetings in accounts payable after 18 years. Upon retirement, she volunteered to tutor elementary students in reading at Almira Elementary School. She enjoyed many years with her grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and family. One of her lifelong passions was caring for children. Whether they were hers or other children on the block, her home was always open, and so was her heart.
As per Mickey’s request, no visitation services will be held. Instead, take a moment to do something kind in her memory. Mickey was known for her kindness and often showed graciousness to others in ways we, even as her children, were not always aware. A special note of thanks and appreciation to her hospice nurse, Erica Herbert, for her compassion and excellent care. Instead of flowers, contributions may be made to Ohio Living Hospice for support and guidance during our mother’s final days.
Interment at West Park Cemetery, 3942 Ridge Rd., Cleveland, Ohio.
