Leslie Cox Sr.

Leslie O. Cox Sr. PORTSMOUTH - Leslie Oliver Cox, born Dec. 15, 1928, a trailblazer in the areas of education, politics, civic participation and church integration, died Friday, July 24, 2009, at 5:30 p.m. Leslie was a grandson of former slaves, Elias and Elizabeth King Cox, and the son of James Arthur and Minnie Mewborn Cox, who were pioneers in the historical Truxton Community in Portsmouth. He was the fifth of nine children born Dec. 15, 1928; his siblings are Erma Cox Askew, James Walter Cox (deceased), Milton Lawrence Cox (deceased), M. Grace Cox- Stephenson (deceased); Helen Cox Pree (deceased); Alma Cox Crawford, Edgar A. Cox (deceased), and Charles L. Cox (aka Bilial Yasin). Leslie was educated in the public schools of Portsmouth. At age 16, he joined the Coast Guard and returned home a more mature and determined person. He graduated from I.C. Norcom High School in 1948, and attended the Norfolk division of Virginia State College with a double major in special education and psychology. Leslie also further studied psychology at Hampton Institute. After working at the Norfolk Post Office as a clerk, he began his brilliant career in education as a special education teacher, assistant principal, principal and counselor in various schools in Portsmouth. He retired in 1991. Anyone who met Leslie quickly realized they were in the presence of a deeply intelligent, insightful and empathetic person. In his private life, whether dealing with his wife, children and siblings - he delighted in them and loved them unconditionally. In the 1970s, Leslie, wife Claudine and children were among the first African-Americans in Portsmouth to attend and join the Lutheran Church. Leslie became an irreplaceable member and served as one of the first African-American presidents of the church counsel. Leslie's greatest joy was his children. He became a totally hands-on father when that was a rarity. He loved and supported his wife, Claudine, and children, Claudia, Oliver, David and Antony Joseph. Leslie is survived by his loving wife, Claudine; his daughter, Claudia Cox-Wynn; sons, Oliver, David and Joseph Cox; also special "daughters," Rita Myrick and Lanita Greene. He also leaves behind four grandchildren, Johnny Barrow-Cox, Demarcus Greene, Faith and Christian Wynn and Jadira Leslie Jones; his sisters, Erma Cox-Askew, Alma Cox Crawford; his brother, Charles L. Cox aka Bilial Yastin; many nieces and nephews; and Tip and Toby Askew, whom he guided like father. A funeral will take place in First Lutheran Church, 600 King St., Portsmouth, VA 23704, Saturday, Aug. 1, 2009, at 11 a.m. A wake will be held in Corprew Funeral Home Friday, July 31, from 6 to 7 p.m.