Obituary of Roswell Tenyson Cox

Roswell Tenyson Cox was born on April 6, 1932 in Swift Creek, Pitt County, North Carolina, and was reclaimed by God on Wednesday, March 22, 2023. Roswell is the second youngest of twelve children born to Lewis and Maudie (Maude) Cox. Roswell graduated from Ayden High School in May, 1949. Roswell worked as a tobacco farmhand following his graduation from high school. Knowing with certainty, that an agricultural vocation was not his calling, Roswell enlisted in the U.S. Army on May 9, 1951, where he served in Germany during the Korean War. Roswell was decorated with an Occupational Medal (Japan), and was honorably discharged on March 2, 1953. Roswell followed his older siblings, and relocated to Brooklyn, New York and pursued a career alongside family, at General Motors in northern New Jersey; and later with the County of Suffolk, New York as a custodian until he retired. In 1954, his future wife, Reola Strong graduated from high school (Ayden High School), and in the same year, she also followed family, and relocated to Brooklyn, New York. On October 11, 1958, Roswell and Reola were united in holy matrimony. Roswell lost the love of his life, unexpectedly on September 1, 2016 after nearly 58 years of marriage. To this union, two children were born – Jacqueline Cox-Eradiri in 1962 and Linda Faye Cox in 1964. Not only were Roswell and Reola parents to Jacqueline and Linda, their love of children grew their family to be blessed with Jonathan Garner who preceded them both in death, and is welcoming dad home to heaven. In 1976, Roswell and Reola once again opened their arms to add two additional daughters, Iris Denise Williams and LaTanya Gisele Sellars into their loving home. In 1990, Roswell and Reola retired to Vanceboro, Craven County, North Carolina where they became members of Chapman’s Chapel OFWB Church where Roswell served as a trustee and a member of the men’s choir. Several years later, they relocated once again to Erial, New Jersey to be nearer to their children and faithfully travelled monthly to North Carolina to attend fourth Sunday services. Roswell leaves a legacy of love to his children, Jackie, Linda, Iris and LaTanya, his sister, Rosetta Brooks of Brooklyn, New York; daughter-in-law, Robin Williams, grandchildren; Devon, Lloyd, Janelle, Alexxa, Daniel, Cheyenne, Dalin, Diamond, and Aaron (deceased); great-grandchildren: Matthew, Baby, Joseph, Lyla, Jovie, and Xavier; sisters-in-law Nevada Butcher and Ginder Hallums; God-daughter, Tawana Bonner; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.