Charles H. Cox

The Rev. Charles H. Cox, age 90 years, of Nevada, Mo., a former Jefferson City resident, transitioned from this life on Saturday, Sept. 3, at the Christian Health Care Center in Nevada.

Charles was born Aug. 21, 1915, in Miller County, Mo., the son of William Wade and Anna Josephene Bunch Cox, who are now both deceased.

He was married on Feb. 21, 1936, in Moniteau County, Mo., to Dessie V. Brewer, who preceded him in death on May 27, 1999.

He earned an Associate in Arts degree from Southwest Baptist University in Bolivar, Mo. and baccalaureate and master's degrees in education from Lincoln University in Jefferson City.

He spent most of his life in the area of Eldon, Mo., where he taught school and served as pastor of several churches. He taught at the Honey Springs and Ulman schools near Iberia before teaching at the Olean Elementary School. After serving several years as a teacher in the Eldon public schools, he became the principal of the elementary school in Eldon until his retirement in 1977.

Charles served as pastor of the Ulman and Hickory Point Baptist churches near Iberia; the Bluesprings, Glenwood, Central and Olean Baptist churches near Eldon; the First Baptist Church in Concordia and the Hickory Hill Baptist Church, Eugene, Mo. After retirement, he served as interim pastor at the Riverview Baptist Church, Lake Ozark, Mo.; Olean Baptist Church; First Baptist Church, Versailles, Mo.; Bluesprings Baptist Church; Hickory Hill Baptist Church; Hopewell Baptist Church, near Eldon; and Trinity Baptist Church in Versailles. He was honored as pastor emeritus of the Trinity Baptist Church and the Hickory Hill Baptist Church. He received the Life Service Award from Southwest Baptist University, Bolivar, in 2000.

He was a member of the First Baptist Church of Nevada. Previous memberships include the First Baptist Church of Jefferson City and the First Baptist Church of Eldon. He was an active member of the Adult 9 Sunday school class and deacon emeritus at First Baptist Church in Jefferson City.

Survivors include two daughters, Carol Drewel and her husband Edwin of Jefferson City, Mo., and Betty Chadwick of Clanton, Ala.; one son, Dr. William Cox and his wife Marie of Nevada; two sisters, Elizabeth Carroll of Jefferson City, Mo., and Evelyn Forrester of Eldon, Mo.; nine grandchildren: Phillip Jones, Michael Jones, Marty Drewel, Leah Graham, Rachel Tilley, Buffie Mock, Bonnie Paquin, Amanda Fisher and William B. Cox; 21 great-grandchildren; six great-great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by an infant brother, Gerald Cox; and a sister, Freda Schupp.

A celebration service will be conducted at 2 p.m., Wednesday, Sept. 7, at the First Baptist Church, Jefferson City, Mo., with the Rev. Doyle Sager officiating. Interment will be at the Dooley Cemetery near Eldon, with the Rev. Randall Bunch officiating.

Friends may call at the First Baptist Church, Jefferson City, from 1 to 2 p.m., Wednesday.

Those desiring may make memorial contributions to the First Baptist Church in Jefferson City or the First Baptist Church of Nevada.

Arrangements are under the direction of Freeman Mortuary, Jefferson City.