Calley Ann Cortez-Cox

Calley Cortez-Cox, 45, of Des Moines, Iowa, died Wednesday, December 10, 2025, at the Southeast Iowa Regional Medical Center in West Burlington, Iowa.

Calley was born October 10, 1980, in Simi Valley, California, the daughter of Walter and Jodi McBride Cortez.  She was a graduate of Valley High School in West Des Moines, Iowa.  On May 15, 2025, she married Bradley Cox in Keokuk, Iowa.

Calley was a waitress for Perkins for 27 years. She enjoyed all kinds of trivia, reading (especially Harry Potter and Outlander novels), musicals; with her favorites being Wicked and Hamilton; and going to the movies; with favorites such as Clue, the Hunger Games series and Divergent; but mainly for the buttered popcorn. She was especially fond of babies and kids (specifically the fat ones), drinking coffee and was a HUGE foodie! She loved trying new places to eat and sampling new foods.

Calley is survived by her husband Brad Cox; children Brantley Cox, Caitlyn Cox, Nailah Cortez and Roekara Cortez; granddaughter Bretton Cox; her father Walter Cortez; brothers Carlos Cortez, Chris Barnes and Michael (Lynn) Cortez; sisters Carrie (Shahryar) Rehman and Stephanie (Dan) Siers.

She was preceded in death by her mother Jodi McBride-Cortez, brother Walter Cortez Jr. and sister Christina Cortez.

In keeping with her wishes, cremation has taken place.  A celebration of life will be held beginning at 12:30 p.m. at the Amazing Grace Church, 1903 53rd St., Des Moines, Iowa on December 30, 2025. A reception and continued visitation and fellowship will immediately follow the service.

For those wishing, memorials may be directed to the family c/o Ernst Funeral Home, PO Box 986, Waukee, IA 50263.