It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Donald Wayne Cox on January 3, 2025, at the age of 87 with his loving family surrounding him. Donald was born on August 17, 1937 in Sanford, NC, to the late Adline (Attie) Lee and Doyle Sheppard Cox.
He is survived by his loving wife of 65 years, Bobbye Cox; children, Doyle (and his wife Sonya) of Murfreesboro, Darren (and his wife Danna) of Brentwood, and Alex (and his wife Allison) of Portland, Oregon; grandchildren, Abigail Chapman (and her husband Jimmy) and Sophia Cox of Murfreesboro, Dalton and Dylan Cox of Brentwood, and Eva Lee Cox of Portland, Oregon; great-grandchildren, Adley Mae and John Doyle Chapman of Murfreesboro, and numerous nieces and nephews.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brothers, Calvin J. Cox and Harold Cox and sisters, Betty Jean Cox and Grace McNeil. He is survived by his two siblings Naomi (and her husband Charles) Hillon and Roy (and his wife Peggy) Cox.
Don grew up on a farm along the banks of the Cape Fear River in North Carolina, where he graduated from Broadway High School, and later moved to Nashville and graduated from the Auto Diesel College. While in attendance there he worked at Kuhn’s Five and Dime. Later, Kuhn’s moved him to Winchester, where in 1958 he met the love of his life, Bobbye, who worked at Lay’s down the street. They married in 1959, and the rest is history. During their time together, he served as a Military Policeman in the US Army for two years, and after an honorable discharge, moved onto a forty-year career at Duck River Electric, providing power service to rural communities across Middle Tennessee.
A committed Christian, Don was raised in the Baptist church, and he later served over 40 years as an Elder for the local Cumberland Presbyterian Church community. A fixture at pancake breakfasts, weekend prayer retreats, and a variety of service projects (including Habitat for Humanity), he was a foundational member of his church community, and devoted many hours of fellowship and hard work, every week, to the church families he helped build.
Don spent his social time in countless mornings with his close friends at the local Hardees, where they solved the problems of the world. He was also a canoe enthusiast, hiker, and he loved spending time with his adoring grandchildren and great grandchildren, who affectionately referred to him as “Pop”. At all times, Don made sure to know the whereabouts and well-being of his sons, daughters-in-law, grandchildren, and their pets, and this attention was appreciated by all. He also enjoyed gardening for his family and friends, studying maps, airplanes, and the timekeeping of just about anything. He was an avid fan of Western movies, and in his woodworking shop he was well known for the ability to make something out of nothing, and he provided an endless amount of useful handmade gifts to the people in his life.
Don was a loving husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, and a devoted friend.
Funeral Service will be at 2pm on Sunday, January 5, 2025 at Moore Cortner Funeral Home with Blake Stevens officiating. His family will receive friends for the visitation from 11:00am-2:00pm. Graveside services will follow at Franklin Memorial Gardens.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made Owens Chapel Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 3058 Liberty Rd, Winchester, TN 37398.
Moore-Cortner Funeral Home,300 First Ave NW, Winchester, TN 37398, (931)-967-2222
