DECATUR TOWNSHIP-- The widow of the late Ralph Cox has filed a petition to run for the remainder of his term as Decatur Township trustee.

Patty Cox, 39, said she decided to seek election after speaking with her late husband's brothers. Patty Cox said they told her Ralph Cox would have wanted her to serve in his place.

Patty Cox said her desire would be to serve Decatur residents the way her late husband served them.

"I'm proud of everything he did, every load of gravel he hauled and put on a road, every road that was blacktopped," Cox said. "And I'm not just proud of his accomplishments as trustee, but as a husband and a father."

Cox, an educational aide at Rock Hill Elementary School, is the only person who filed to run for the two years and four months left on her late husband's term. Since more than 40 days remain before the next election, the trustee's seat was placed on the November ballot. Until then the two remaining township trustees, Garold Cox and Emory "Pete" McFann, have 30 days to name a replacement who will serve until the election is certified. If they cannot agree on a replacement, Lawrence County Probate Judge David Payne will appoint a replacement.

The two trustees are expected to meet Wednesday at 7 p.m. to name a replacement who will serve until the election is certified.

Ralph Cox collapsed and died Aug. 16 while performing chip-and-seal work on a road with his brother, Garold Cox.