Charles Jefferson Box, Jr. left this world for his Heavenly rewards on January 3, 2025. Mr. Box, known throughout the area as Charles, Charlie, or Jeff, was born on August 16, 1949 in Starkville, MS to Charles J. Box, Sr. and Sue Perrigin Box. He married the love of his life, Mary Jean McClain of Montpelier, MS in 1977. In the 47 ½ years they were together, they never spent a night apart.
Mr. Box grew up in Mathiston, MS and was a graduate of Mathiston High School and Mississippi State University. He served as a deacon at First Baptist Church, Starkville, where he also taught Sunday School and was a member of the Berean Sunday School Class. Additionally, he served as a Gideon for several years. Mr. Box began his career as an educator, working as the audio/visual director at Ackerman High School. He later became a businessman in Starkville, owning and operating Box Septic Systems for many years before working for the City of Starkville as the Superintendent of Water and Waste Water, retiring in 2013.
Mr. Box enjoyed traveling, especially to his annual Christmas pilgrimage to Dollywood in Pigeon Forge, TN and to antique tractor shows in various states. He also enjoyed fishing, spending time with his family, restoring his dad’s 1966 Chevrolet pick-up truck, and reading The Far Side Comics.
Left to cherish his memory are his wife, Mary Box, Starkville, his son Charles Jefferson
Box, III, “C.J.” (Kat), Charlotte, NC, his daughter Alisha Box Bennett (Grady), Paw Paw, MI, a granddaughter, Aerith Box, a grandson, Jameson Bennett, two sisters, Cindy Box Malone, Sturgis, MS, and Jo Charlice Box McKenzie, Starkville, two nephews Michael Box, Jr. (Alicia), Mathiston, MS, and Vincent McKenzie (Sara), Sheridan, WY, three nieces, Christy Jane Box Windsor (David), Richmond, TX, Rachel McKenzie, Ridgeland, MS, Nikki Malone, Sturgis, MS, several great nieces and nephews, and wonderful neighbors and friends.
Mr. Box was preceded in death by his parents, a brother and sister-in-law, Michael Box, Sr. (Sylvia), a sister, Candace Box, two brothers-in-law Michael “Red” Malone and Darrell McKenzie.
Visitation is scheduled for Thursday, January 9, 2025 from 10:00-11:00 a.m. at First Baptist Church in Starkville, MS, with the funeral service immediately following. Burial will be in Blythe Creek Baptist Church Cemetery in Choctaw County.
Serving as pallbearers are C.J. Box, Grady Bennett, Michael Box, Jr., Jamie Stidham, Scott Hill, and Rodger McClain.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to The Gideons International, Starkville Gideon Camp, P. O. Box 669, Starkville, MS 39760 or to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.
