Obituary of Joseph Lee Cox

Joseph (Joe) Lee Cox was born on June 22, 1953, the fourth of nine children to Maryann and Young Charles Cox, Jr. in Pine Bluff, Arkansas. The family moved to Lynn, MA, in 1960 when Joe attended the George Washington Elementary School. A few years later, the family relocated to Boston, MA, where he attended various schools, including The Dudley Elementary, Patrick T. Campbell and Dorchester High. After a short stint in the United States Army, Joe was honorably discharged. Joe's first wife, Janice Ogletree blessed him with four sons. He received his High School Equivalency Diploma while working overnight shifts and going to school during the day. Joe worked for more than thirty years for the state of Massachusetts' Department of Youth Services. He loved all children and his job. The children that he mentored fondly referred to him as "Uncle Joe." He enjoyed his interactions with the children and youth at various Boston Public Schools pre Covid-19 such as the Higginson/Lewis K-8 School and the Jeremiah E. Burke High School. Driven by his passion for planting positive seeds in the younger generations by sharing words of encouragement and wisdom with hopes of them one day being our future leaders in and from our communities. He received letters of commendation from schools expressing their gratitude for his tireless efforts year after year, not to be seen but doing it out of love for the children and youth. Joe didn't just know a person; he knew several generations of their family. Joe fellowshipped with all; his church affiliation was shared with various churches located within the Boston and Randolph areas, including Destiny Life Center International, Jubilee Christian Church, and Refuge Deliverance Outreach Church. Joe enjoyed interior painting, and he took pride in it, but even more, than painting, he enjoyed a game or, should I say, a marathon of playing spades. Joe would without hesitation engage in an intense, laughter-filled, trash-talking game of spades. He was pretty good and didn't take too kindly to losing. Joe is survived by: four children: Ivana McFadden, David (Tanya) Cox, Michael Cox, William Cox; Grandchildren: Jacquenette, Ivari, Iyona, Shamaari, Azauri-Joi, Aatiyah- Joi, Ahria-Joi, Mikael, M'Kai, Zakeir, Jackie, Tatiyona, Dwight (Joseph lll), Marquis, Hector, Dante, Davyanna, David Jr., Danasha, Zion, Jaelyn; Great-grandchildren: Laniah, Hector Jr, Amir, Gwendolyn, Geiovaughn, Ivyonna, Jahque: Brothers; Elijah Thomas, Young Charles Cox Jr, Willie Cox: Sisters; Ida Marseille, Annie Cox, Irene Cox, Elizabeth Jackson: Barbara Miller (mother-in-law). A host of aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins, church family, friends, and former wives Carol Edwards and Carla Camillo. Joe was preceded in death by Joseph (Joe) Lee Cox, Jr., (son), Young Charles Cox, Sr. (father), Maryann Cox (mother), Everett Charles Cox (brother), Janice Hayes (former wife mother of Joe's sons).