William Cox

Mr. William T. �Tommy� Cox, Sr, 69, died Wednesday night (February 24, 2010) at St. Vincent�s Medical Center of Jacksonville, FL following an extended illness.

Cox was a native of Lavonia, GA, and had lived most of his life in Rome. He had made his home in Cartersville for fifteen years before moving to Brantley County, GA in late 2009. He was the son of the late William Hughes Cox and Cordia Ann Smith Cox.

Cox retired in 2001 after a 15 year career as the Branch Sales and Service Manager of Carrier Corporation Industrial Division of United Technologies Corporation. His territory covered the entire state of Georgia. He was a member of Bush Arbor Baptist Church of Rome and attended Pleasant Valley Baptist Church of Waycross.

He was a member of the Georgia Chapter of the Trail of Tears Association, formerly serving for six years as President. Cox also served on the Board of the National Trail of Tears Association. He was a long-standing member and supporter of the Cherokee Heritage Center and Museum in Tahlequah, OK, the Friends Group of the Chief Vann House Historic Site, in Chatsworth, GA, the Friends Group of the Etowah Indian Mounds Historic Site State Park, and the Museum of the Cherokee Indian in Cherokee, NC. He was a founding member of NAPA (Native American Preservation Association) of Georgia, a member and docent at the Booth Western Art Museum of Cartersville as well as the Funk Heritage Center and Museum of Reinhardt College in Waleska, GA. Additionally, Cox was a member of Archaeology of Georgia and the Archaeology Institute of America.

Survivors include his wife: Kathy Fowler Cox of Waycross, GA; a daughter: Kristi Cox of Rome; three sons: William T. �Tee� Cox, Jr of Cartersville, Robi Cox (partner Dr. Greg Scott) of San Diego, CA, and George William �B.J.� Cox (wife Mandi) of Rome; a step-daughter: Stacie Carter (husband Jason) of Hoboken, GA; a step-son: Chris Strickland (wife Bridget) of Tifton, GA; six grandchildren: Lauren Gilmore, Leanna Gilmore, Brandon Cox, Isabella �Bella� Cox, and Christian Cox all of Rome, and Kaylee Carter of Hoboken, GA; two brothers: Ray K. Cox (wife Diane) of Jonesboro, GA and Walter Brendel Cox (wife Kay) of Richmond, VA; and numerous nieces, nephews and other relatives.

A funeral will be held at 11:00 AM Saturday (February 27, 2010) at Pleasant Valley Baptist Church in Waycross, GA. The family will receive friends from 6:00 until 8:00 PM Friday at Music Funeral Home, also in Waycross.

A graveside service will be held at 3:00 PM Sunday (February 28, 2010) at

Oaknoll Memorial Gardens in Rome. The family will be receiving friends from 1:30 until 2:30 PM Sunday at the McGuire, Jennings and Miller Funeral Home in Rome.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to the Georgia Chapter of the Trail of Tears, Association, 258 Ben Higgins Rd, Dahlonega, GA 30533 (www.gatrailoftears.org) or to the Prostate Cancer Foundadtion, 1250 Fourth St., Santa Monica, CA 90401 (www.prostatecancerfoundation.org).

Please join Mr. Cox�s family in honoring his life by visiting www.jenningsfuneralhome.com to post tributes and share memories.

The Oaknoll Chapel of the McGuire, Jennings, & Miller Funeral Home has charge of the arrangements for the funeral of Mr. William T. �Tommy� Cox, Sr.