Clifton Lee Cox

Clifton Lee Cox, the youngest son of Willie Cox and Omira King Cox, was born on September 27, 1926 in Chicod, North Carolina. Cliff as he was fondly known, attended public schools in an area of Chicod named for his family, Coxs’ Crossroad. Cliff was a young boy when his father died. Cliff was very close to his mother and out of concern for her and his younger siblings; he left school before entering high school and went to work to help support his family. In 1941 Cliff came to Baltimore, Maryland seeking better job opportunities. He obtained employment with the Edgewood Arsenal where he remained for twenty years. In 1945, Cliff enlisted into the United States Army where he served a tour of duty during World War II. He received an honorable discharge in 1947 and was also awarded the WWII Victory Medal and the Army of Occupation Medal for his service. In 1947, Cliff was joined in marriage to the former Lucille Hardy; the marriage lasted until 1960 and produced four sons. From 1947 to 1950, Cliff proudly served his country in the United States Air Force. Upon his honorable discharge he was awarded the Army of Occupation Medal (Japan). Cliff was an industrious man. He was employed at the Bethlehem Steel Corporation, working there for over twenty years before retiring in 1989. Cliff was a fun loving man with a gentle soul. He had a sunny personality and made friends wherever he went. He loved reading the encyclopedia, the Guinness Book of World Records and watching trivia game shows such as Jeopardy and Wheel of Fortune. Cliff was preceded in death by his parents, brothers, Willie D. Cox, Roy Cox and sister, Flossie Grimes. On November 18, 2001, after a lengthy illness, Cliff slipped from time into eternity. He will truly be missed. He leaves to mourn his passing; eight children, Earline Washington, Clifton J. Cox, Therman Cox, Ronald Cox, Norman Cox, Donnie Brown, Theresa Richardson and Stephanie Whitehurst; five sisters, Mary Jane Atkinson, Sweet Savilla Gardner, Ruby Lee House, Lura Dell Lee and Theresa Johnson; two daughters-in-law, Wanda Cox and Bertha Burgess-Cox; one son-in-law, Curtis Washington, Sr.; seventeen grandchildren, fourteen great grandchildren and host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

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Clifton Lee Cox

September 27, 1926 - November 18, 2001