Size: 1 container; 0.4 linear feet

Restrictions: none

Accession #: MC 87 - 56

Provenance: donor

Processed: March 1991

Biographical Sketch

James William Cox was born November 8, 1902, to Thomas James and Sarah Elizabeth (Bennett) Cox, Pittsylvania County, Virginia. When only five, his father died. In 1922, James graduated from Ferrum Training School, now Ferrum College. In 1986, the school presented him with a Distinguished Alumnus Award of Service to the Church.

He came to Anderson, Indiana in 1923. A friend invited him to the Fifth Street Methodist Protestant Church where he met Opal May Lytle. They were active in Christian Endeavor and choir. He received his first church appointment, August, 1925. He and Opal were married, September 30, 1925.

Cox was ordained an Elder in 1939. He became District Chairman of Evangelism, Missions, Town and Country and active on other Commissions. Because of ill health, he retired in 1968 and moved to Anderson. After recovering from a serious operation, he supplied churches, traveled and did real estate business. The Coxes went to the Franklin United Methodist Home in 1977.

After two operations and declining health, James died August 20, 1986. He was survived by wife, Opal, and children, James William, Jr. [DPU '49]; Robert Lee [DPU '55]; Paul Thomas; and Virginia Ruth McCoy [DPU '63].

Collection Statement

This collection is presented in two series. Series I consists of papers pertaining to the Cox family, such as school grades and church certificates. Series II consists of various church histories and certificates of baptism, church membership and transferal.

Folder 1: Anderson High School, 1921 Yearbook of Opal Lytle

            2: Certificates: Church Membership, 1927 and Sunday School, 1946

            3: Ferrum College, 1922-1975

            4: Grades of James, 1920-c.1938

            5: Prohibition - Anti-Saloon League, 1921-1922

            6: Teaching Plan, no date

Folder 7: Baptism Certificates, 1962-1971, includes:

             St. James Methodist, Evansville

             Victory Memorial Methodist, Indianapolis

             Center Chapel United Methodist, Shirley

              Honey Creek United Methodist

         8: Church Membership Certificates, 1959-1971, includes:

             Woodside Methodist, Indianapolis

             St. James Methodist, Evansville

             Farmersburg Methodist, Farmersburg

             Victory Memorial Methodist, Indianapolis

             Center Chapel United Methodist, Shirley

             Honey Creek United Methodist

         9: Dyer Methodist, 1952

       10: Fairland Methodist Episcopal, 1944-1947

       11: Fifth Street Methodist, Anderson, 1951-1952

       12: First Methodist Protestant, Anderson, 1933-1934

       13: Jollity Methodist, Edinburgh, 1941 & 1978

       14: Osgood Methodist, Osgood, 1952-1959

       15: Transferal Certificates, 1942-1966

       16: Woodside Methodist, Indianapolis, 1953-c.1958