Obituaries – Their Stories Live On

Mr. Phillip A. Cox Sr. was Blessed By God to Barbara A. Cox–Mizell of Beckley, WV and the late Phillip A. Buford on July 1, 1971 in Beckley, WV. On Tuesday, June 27, 2023, Phil, most affectionately known as "Big Bro. or Uncle Phil”, departed his life and moved on to his Heavenly Home.

Phillip was a 1989 graduate of Independence High School, an athlete who excelled in sports, running a 4.2 Forty-yard dash. After graduation from high school, he was offered a full ride scholarship to Marshall University but, instead enlisted in the United States Army, where he served Proud in war, Desert Storm in 1991 as 101Airborne Division. Phillip ranked as an E-5 sergeant and infantry soldier defending our country on the frontline. During his 4 years of service, he was rewarded with the National Defense Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Primary Development Ribbon, and Southwest Asia Service Medal. Phil was also a licensed minister from 1994 to 1998, winning many souls to Christ.

Phil was an excellent licensed carpenter, contractor, electrical and plumbing apprentice, with no formal training, but was Blessed By God to do so many things to help others. Phil's talent for building homes and helping others is well known in Raleigh County and all the surrounding areas. He was the former owner of three businesses, Virtue Hair and Nail Salon, Clarksville, TN, Veteran’s Contractor, and Cox Construction.

Phil was a loving and kind individual who would help anyone who needed it. He was an avid sports fan and had a passion to work with younger kids in football and soccer. Phil's most recent endeavor was coaching the Southwest Bandits and soccer. He was always busy building character and life skills in the young lives he touched through all his endeavors.

Phil, in addition to his father and step-father, J.T. Monroe, was preceded in death by his maternal grandparents, Nelson and Gladys Cox; paternal grandparents, Edna Buford; sister, Belinda A. Cox; cousins, Joseph E. Cox, Jr., Kenneth L. Cox Jr., and Clifford C. Cox; nephews, Brian and Nelson Sharrod Cox; aunts, Alda Mae Cox; and uncles, James L. Cox Sr. and Joseph E. Cox, Sr.

Phil, in addition to his loving mother, leaves to cherish precious memories his sons, Phillip A. Cox Jr. of Beckley, WV and Stephen Cox of Wheeling, WV; daughters, Chenelle Thompson of FL; Chaniece Cox of Atlanta, GA, Miah Cox of NY and their mother, Elicia Jefferson, Jeremiah Stout and his mother, Tracy Orie of MD, and Adaya Cox of NC and her mother, Tomeka Moore; grandchildren, Nouvel Cox, Armani Cox, Micah, Malachi, Malaya, and Xavier Cox, Audreya and Adrienne Thompson and expectant namesake, Phillip Alexander Cox III; siblings, Nicolette, Ryan, Jason, Byron, Shaun, J.J., Michael, Timothy, and Keith; aunts, Mary Wiltz, Virgie Jackson, Jeanette Cox and Valerie Caldwell; uncles, Howard (Jessie) Cox and Uncle Raymond Buford; special nephew, Damon Harris; special nieces, Jayla Cox and Laila Cox; Clarence Mizell who he affectionately called "Pops" and a host of other relatives and friends.

Funeral service will be 1:00PM Saturday July 8, 2023 at Heart of God Ministries 1703 S. Kanawha St. Beckley with Bishop Fred T. Simms officiating. Burial will follow in Greenwood Memorial Park, Beckley.

Friends may view and visit with the family one-hour prior.

Email condolences to ritchiejohnsonfuneralparlor@gmail. com.

Arrangements entrusted to Ritchie & Johnson Funeral Parlor, Beckley.