Clarence A. Cox

Clarence Abraham Cox went to be with the Lord on July 5, 2014. Clarence, son of the late Mabel Cox Barnes and the late Abraham Spence was born in Chester, Pennsylvania on June 16, 1934. He attended schools in Chester as a child before moving to Baltimore, Maryland. As a young man, Clarence was confirmed and baptized as a member of St. Philip’s Evangelical Lutheran Church where he attended and served faithfully for over forty years. He attended Paul Lawrence Dunbar High School where he participated in track and field, football and wrestling. Clarence graduated from Dunbar High School in 1954, and entered the United States Air Force as a supply specialist. He also played football for his Air Force squadron team. Clarence received an honorable discharge from McGuire Air Force Base in New Jersey in August 1958. On his 22nd birthday, June 16, 1956, Clarence married the love of his life, Viola Johnson, and they enjoyed a blessed union before God for fifty-eight years. Their union produced a son, Carlton, and a daughter Karen. Clarence worked various jobs throughout Baltimore, until he gained long-term employment with the Social Security Administration in October 1959. During his time with SSA, Clarence served as a union representative, and bowled in the Tuesday Bowling League in Woodlawn. After thirty-three years of service, Clarence retired from SSA in 1990. Clarence was a devoted husband, dedicated father and diligent community activist. Clarence loved traveling with Viola, and bowling in the Saturday Night Bowling League in Towson. Clarence enjoyed talking sports with his son and grandson. He found great delight in family outings with his favorite girls. Clarence served for numerous years in a variety of roles at St. Philip’s Lutheran Church. He was a part of various choirs, served as Vacation Bible School superintendent, the Boy Scout Program, church council member, Lutheran Men in Mission, and laity assistant. Clarence also served as the church historian chairman and sat on the 2008 planning committee for the rededication service for St. Philip’s Lutheran Church. Clarence also enjoyed attending the Maryland Senate Assembly for the Evangelical Lutheran Synod as a representative Clarence remained a faithful contributor until he could no longer serve. During Clarence’s younger years, Clarence was a diligent community activist. Clarence served his local community, the Park Heights area, as the President of the Northwest Baltimore Corporation for two terms from 1971 to 1975, and 1975 to 1979. During his time there he was a member of the Baltimore Task Force of the National Urban Coalition’s “Say Yes to a Youngster’s Future”. Clarence was also a part of the Lower Park Heights Community Council as a board member, and the President of The Strand Improvement Association. His involvement with the Park Heights Improvement Association included being a scout leader for the Strand/Edgecombe Community. His community involvement extended to being President of the PTA of Edgecombe Circle Elementary School, and Calverton Junior High School, where his children attended school. Clarence was a part of the Pimilco School Plan, which was involved in the law suit against the State of Maryland for equal funding for Baltimore City Schools. In his later years, Clarence battled with diabetes. He was the recipient of an experimental double organ transplant procedure at Johns Hopkins Hospital, and had impeccable medical care provided by Dr. Edward Kraus. Clarence was diligent in maintaining his health and thankful to God for sustaining him another twenty years through the gift of life from an organ donor. He served as a mentor to pending organ transplant recipients. Clarence A. Cox was a man of faith, who trusted God, and received many miracles of healing. Clarence received his ultimate healing when he met his Lord and Savior at the heavenly gates on July 5, 2014 at 8:46 p.m. Gone before Clarence are brother Norman Cox and sister Edmonia (Dolly) Johnson. Clarence is survived by: his devoted and faithful wife, Viola; his two children, Carlton Cox and Karen Hawes; two grandchildren and their spouses, Monique McNeil (Nathan), and Reginald Hawes Jr. (Christina); two great-granddaughters, Trinity Tribbett, Jaylynn Hawes, and one step great granddaughter Korynn Davidson. He also leaves to cherish: one daughter-in-law, Wanda Watson Cox; one dear aunt, Gladys Monroe; three sister-in-laws, Thelma Tanner, Ruth McBride, and Bessie Johnson; two brother-inlaws, Hebert Johnson, and North Johnson. His continuing family tree also extends to five nephews, eleven nieces, and a host of great nephews and nieces he cherished as well. Clarence also leaves a host of dear friends, church family members and life-long neighbors.

Tributes

Clarence A. Cox

June 16, 1934 - July 5, 2014