Vann Allan Cox

Mr. Vann Allan Cox, age 77 years, 3 months, went to Heaven to be with Jesus Christ on March 16, 2018, after a long battle with Alzheimer’s disease.  He was born in Surry County on December 15, 1940, to the late Van Avery Cox and Cristine Snow Cox.  He was a member of Highland Park Baptist Church, Mount Airy, and previously taught Sunday School at First Baptist Church of Pilot Mountain where he was a member for many years.   He loved Jesus Christ and enjoyed Bible study.

Mr. Cox is survived by his wife of 50 years, Ruby Hurley Cox of the home in Pilot Mountain, one son, Christopher Cox of the home; first cousins Judy Simmons of Pilot Mountain and, Doug Stokes of Albemarle; special cousins by marriage Janice Stokes, Rock Hill, SC, and Peggy Fritz of New Jersey.  He is also survived by many beloved nieces, nephews and second cousins. 

Vann graduated from Pilot Mountain High School in 1959, where he enjoyed history and playing football.  He graduated from Mars Hill College with an associate degree in history, then later graduated from High Point University with a bachelor’s degree in history and political science.  Vann was co-owner of Van Cox Florist with his mother for the first 20 years of his career, then later served as a magistrate in Pilot Mountain and Surry County for over 16 years before retiring in 2004.

Vann was an avid tennis player and was able to compete with much younger players into his late fifties.  He loved watching sports on TV, especially tennis, basketball, football, and baseball.  He greatly enjoyed studying and discussing World War II, American, and Civil War histories and had collected and read hundreds of books on these topics.   

The family will receive friends and loved ones on Sunday, March 18, from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. at Highland Park Baptist Church, Mount Airy.  There will be no formal services based on Vann’s stated wishes.  Cox-Needham Funeral Home of Pilot Mountain is handling certain arrangements.

The family wishes to express heartfelt gratitude to the following who helped care for Vann during his 14 years of dealing with Alzheimer’s: Clare Bridge and Priddy Manor Assisted Living staffs; Kindred Care at Home staff including Jamie, Leisa, & Brenda;  Mountain Valley Hospice, especially Nurses Kim, Ginger, Debbie S., Debbie I., Michelle, Amy, & Sabrina, and Social Worker Angela, CNAs Carrol, Janice, Brandi & Nicole; Chaplains Drew and Rick; Hospice Volunteers Laura, Rose, Dorothy, & Linda; Staff of Senior Quality Care, especially Jerry; Staff of American Health Care Services, especially Linda.

Memorial donations may be made to one of the following: Highland Park Baptist Church Building Fund, 1327 Grove Lane, Mount Airy, NC 27030; Mountain Valley Hospice and Palliative Care, 129 Veterans Drive, Pilot Mtn., NC 27041; Alzheimer’s Disease Research, 22512 Gateway Center Drive, Clarksburg, MD 20871.  Condolences may be sent to P.O. Box 657, Pilot Mountain, NC 27041.

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