Pastor John Cox was born January 14, 1948 to  Charlie Cox and Callie Hargrove Cox in Lowndes County, Mississippi.  He is the youngest son of the 11 children from this union.

John accepted Christ as his Savior and joined Pepper Hill Missionary Baptist Church that was under the leadership of Reverend Frank Johnson.  He served as a deacon and the Sunday school teacher at Pepper Hill until he received a calling from an even higher authority, into the ministry.

He attended R. E. Hunt High School in Columbus, Mississippi, and graduated class of 1966.  It was at Hunt High, where John would meet the future love of his life, wife, and life-long partner, Mattee Turner.  They were united in Holy-matrimony June 19th, 1969 and were happily devoted to each other for more than 50 years until her passing.  To this union, two sons were born and they were the pride and joy of their lives.

In 1967, after graduating high school, John was drafted into the United States Army.  Soon thereafter, he qualified for an assignment into the 101st Airborne Division.  Selected to serve and protect the country abroad, he was sent to Vietnam. His specific training qualified him for reassignment to the 173rd Airborne Division, which had just suffered heavy losses in the Tet Offensive in early 1968.  John would continue to serve within this division throughout his tour of Vietnam.  He was a proud veteran, employing many of the disciplines learned throughout his life.  He served his country well with honor and dignity.

After completing his service to the country, he graduated Summa Cum Laude from Mary Holmes College in West Point, MS.  He continued his technical education and training while working in engineering at United Technologies for more than 35 years.  Never one to be satisfied with "free time," he simultaneously farmed crops including soybeans, wheat and corn, and in 1989 started Cox & Son's Dirt Services, Inc., a heavy construction business, which he owned and operated successfully for more than 35 years. He used the business to teach work and life skills to many who use them today to provide for their families.

John answered his calling from the Lord into the ministry in 1984.  Shortly thereafter, he answered another calling from the Lord and became the pastor of the now Pleasant Grove Full Gospel Baptist Church where he served faithfully for more than 39 years.  He believed strongly in teaching the Good News and desired for everyone to know Christ.

On the morning of June 29th, 2024, John heard the call from Heaven, "Well done thy good and faithful servant. Well done."  He is preceded in death by his loving wife, Mattee, his parents, and four siblings.

To cherish his memory, he leaves his two sons, HiYon (Pamela) Cox of Columbus, Ohio, and Patrick (Cansandra) Cox of Columbus, Mississippi; five grandchildren, Cynthia Cox, Jonathan Cox, Charles "Alex" Cox, Kelton Cox, and Kaley Cox.  John also leaves five sisters, Luella Cox-Robinson of Tuscaloosa, AL, Charlie Faye Young of Newark, NJ, Catherine Colbert of Columbus, MS, Syvella Cox of Washington, NJ and Linda Cox of Rancho Santa Margarita, CA; two brothers, Tom (Sherry) Cox of Tuscaloosa, AL and Charlie (Belinda) Cox of Columbus, MS.  He leaves through marriage an additional six sisters and five brothers, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Please join in with family as we honor the life and legacy of Pastor John Cox on Sunday, July 7, 2024, at 1:00 P.M. CST.

Click on link below:

https://www.facebook.com/people/Charity-Mission-Fairview-Full-Gospel-Baptist-Church/100082746092441/