Edward Lee Cox

Edward Lee Cox, 82 of Columbia, passed away peacefully February 05, 2023 at Forrest General Hospital in Hattiesburg, surrounded by his loving family. He was a Christian by faith and member of Greenville Baptist Church. Born February 28, 1940 at the family home in Marion county, he was one of fifteen children to Wardell Roosevelt and Pearl (Johnson) Cox. Lee, as he preferred to be called, grew up in Columbia and loved the outdoors, horses, gardening, fishing, and hunting. He worked as a carpenter, perfecting his skills working jobs around the area. Over the years, Lee became well-known as a master carpenter, building everything from sheds and residential homes to high rise commercial buildings in Ft. Lauderdale and Orlando, FL. No matter where he worked though, his heart was always right here in South Mississippi. Of all the buildings and things he built over the years, Lee would be the first to tell you that his family was definitely his proudest accomplishment. He loved his family, especially the grands and great-grandchildren. He had a vivid sense of humor and enjoyed a good joke, prank, and laugh as much as anyone. Lee also enjoyed bartering or trading stuff, and more often than not, came out on the upper end of the deal. He still hunted and fished as often as he could, loved his horses, and enjoyed just talking and catching up over a cup of coffee. There is so much more about Lee than these words contain, but those who knew him understand that. A loving husband, father, and grandfather, "Paw" will be dearly missed by all whose life he touched. He was preceded in death by his parents, Wardell and Pearl Cox; his loving wife of fifty-one years, Patsy Rae Cox and their daughter, Lisa Rae Johnson; one granddaughter Angel Dawn Townsend; and his siblings: brothers Jerry Dale, Billy, Doyle, Lavelle, Lavon, and Wendell Cox, and sisters Judy Morgan, Thelma Tucker, Carolyn Rogers, Deborah Lambert, and Mary Sue Sauls. Left to cherish his memories are: his children: Marga (Jamie) Townsend of Lumberton, Eddie (Lisa) Cox of Purvis, and Norma (Jerome) Saucier of Baxterville; his son-in-law Gary Johnson, also of Baxterville; his sisters Anita Jo Rester of Tylertown and Marie Morgan of Columbia, with his brother James Earl Cox, also of Columbia. He leaves a legacy of eight grandchildren: Jennifer (Billy) Davis, Ben (Stacey) Townsend, Johnny Johnson (fiancé Hannah), Rebecca (Josh) Geiger, Brett (Kaity) Cox, Jason Johnson (fiancé Chelsie), Michael (Lisa) Saucier, and Morgan (Jason, Sr.) Finnell, with twenty-four great-grands: Scott, Drew, Jeffery, Noah, Natalie, Emilee, Luke, Riley, Wiley, Logan, Ounde, Conner, Cooper, Avery Claire, Zane, Corbin Lee, Baker, Jade, Cruz, Jason, Austin, Avery Pearl, Kenlee, and Channing, along with numerous extended family, friends, and satisfied customers across the Southeast. Services will be held at Greenville Baptist Church with visitation from 5 until 8 PM Wednesday evening, and at 10 AM Thursday morning. The funeral service begins at 11 AM, with Bro. Mike Lee, Bro. Roger Miller, and Pastor Terry Kelly officiating. Afterward, Lee will be laid to rest in the Pleasant Home cemetery beside his wife. Trinity Funeral Services is honored to serve the Cox family in their time of need and asks that you remember them in your thoughts and prayers through the days ahead.