Connie Cox

Connie Sue Leighton Cox, age 60, of Bedford, VA, passed away on April 28, 2025, with her husband Michael at her bedside, and she has entered into the glories of heaven to be with her Savior Jesus Christ. She fought a courageous battle with cancer for over a year, and Jesus remained her hope and strength.

Connie was born on December 6, 1964, in Radford, VA to the late Wilbur and Lena Leighton, but spent most of her childhood in Christiansburg, VA. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her brother Jerry Vest.

Connie is survived by her husband of 28 years, Michael; brother Larry Vest and sister Sherry Schoolfield; nephews Travis Vest (Jennifer), Tra Hawley (Mandi), Charles Schoolfield (Janessa); nieces Brandy Self (Quinton) and Cheyenne Vest Maddox (Noah); great-nephews Conner, Quinton (‘Q’), Carter, Grayson, Evan, and great-nieces Dakota, Shelby, Cassidy; and her in-laws Bob and Becky Cox.

Connie attended Columbia Bible College in South Carolina for 1 ½ years and then completed her Bachelor of Education degree at Radford University. She was an elementary public school teacher in Pearisburg, VA for 13 years, and then joined her husband in Christian pastoral ministry through the churches he served in Virginia. She actively served in church ministry thru Sunday School, VBS, Awana, choir, and many other support roles. She had a beautiful singing voice and used it in worship of the Lord thru song. Connie’s passion was teaching God’s Word to children and to a women’s Sunday School class.

She had a sweet and kind heart of service to others and established a women’s ministry known as “Hearts On Call” designed to encourage others who need an uplift, to support mission teams sharing the gospel of salvation, to show appreciation to church leaders, and recently expanded to minister to senior adult residents at Joseph’s Dream Apartments in Bedford to let them know they are not forgotten but are loved and prayed for.

Connie loved her family and spent many fun and creative weekends with her nieces and nephews. She was considered a best friend by many, a prayer warrior, a gentle and encouraging spirit, and selfless servant who spent most of her life concerned about others. She always could see the good in everybody.

The family would like to extend a special “thank you” to the oncologists and nurses at Centra Alan B. Pearson Regional Cancer Center in Lynchburg, VA for their compassionate care of Connie and for encouraging her with hope to take cancer treatments.

The family will receive friends on Friday, May 2, from 6 – 8 pm at Tharp Funeral Home in Bedford, and funeral service will be Saturday, May 3, 11:00 am at Tharp Funeral Chapel with her husband-pastor Rev. Michael Cox officiating along with Deacon Terry Davidson. Interment will follow at Suck Spring Baptist Church Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, anyone wanting to make memorial contributions please consider Suck Spring Baptist Church, ATTN: “Hearts On Call” Women’s Missions Group, 3887 Jopling Road, Bedford, VA 24523.

Tharp Funeral Home & Crematory, Bedford is assisting the family.