URBANA, Mo. — As part of Ozarks Firsts’ Remarkable Women series, we are highlighting the contributions women are making in their communities in the Ozarks.
For Casey Cox, life is a balancing act between family, farming, and advocacy. She and her husband have run Mid-Missouri Stockyards for more than a decade, but her role as a mother shaped a new mission.
When her daughter Romey showed early signs of autism, Cox quickly realized that families in rural communities often face limited resources.
“When we walked out of the center with a big stack of paperwork, I felt absolutely alone,” Cox recalled. “I didn’t know what to do next.”
Rather than accept that people in rural areas like her face major gaps in autism care, Cox acted. She founded the Show-Me Romey Foundation, which provides free sensory kits, support meetings for parents, and inclusive events designed to give families a voice and a network.
Tasha Thompson is on the board for Show-Me Romey and nominated Casey for the Ozarks First Remarkable Women series.
“She’s a mom of three, works full time, and took something from her daughter’s diagnosis to make a real difference,” said Thompson. “She doesn’t just help her own family—she sees the bigger picture for everyone in her community.”
The foundation now serves multiple counties across the Ozarks, connecting families who might otherwise feel isolated. Cox said, “The kids in rural areas matter just as much as the ones in the city.”
Her advocacy even reaches the stockyards, where local farmers have gotten involved—asking questions, sharing experiences, and donating to the cause.
Looking ahead, Cox is planning Urbana’s first rural autism center, aiming to bring resources closer to families who need them most.
“I knew that if I felt lost, there had to be other parents out there feeling the same way,” Cox said.
From personal challenge to community action, Cox has turned one family’s journey into a mission that touches lives across the region.
Here are some upcoming events for the Show-Me Romey Foundation:
3rd Annual Sensory Safe Easter Egg Hunt – April 4, 12–2 p.m., Buffalo City Park. This free, family-friendly event features an Easter egg hunt, sensory games, face painting, a small animal petting zoo and a visit from the Easter Bunny.
3rd Annual Autism Walk – April 26, 2–4 p.m., Buffalo City Park. Celebrate Autism Awareness Month at this free event, which includes a bounce house, local vendors and a community walk.