Farewell To A Hero

VIRGINIA BEACH

Ryan Keith Cox was laid to rest on Saturday, June 8 after Homegoing Services were held at the E. Ray Cox Convention Center before hundreds of mourners. Cox is being credited by his colleagues in building 2 at the Virginia Beach Municipal Center where they worked with sacrificing his safety and ultimately his life on their behalf during the May 31, 2019 mass shooting. Twelve people, including Cox, were killed during the rampage before the gunman also was killed by police.

Ryan Keith Cox lost his life as he valiantly secured the safety of several of his colleagues on May 31, 2019 in the nation’s worst mass shooting this year. Cox was one of 12 persons who died during a shooting rampage perpetrated by a co-worker at building 2 of the Virginia Beach Municipal Center.

Hundreds turned out on Saturday, June 8, 2019 at the New Hope Baptist Church’s E. Ray Cox Convocation Center to say farewell to “Keith,” as he was known, and express condolences to the Cox Family. The Services were presided over by Min. Michael Keyes, assisted by Min. Gloria Winston, Min. Sharon Grimstead, and Pastor John Johnson.

Along with a host of family, friends, and members of the community was a large contingent of clergy from across the Hampton Roads area and elsewhere. Other attendees included Virginia’s Gov. Ralph Northam, Lt. Gov. Justin Fairfax, and U.S. Congresswoman Elaine Luria. Northam and Luria delivered remarks.

Other remarks came from two of Cox’s co-workers, Christi Dewar and Bettina Williams, and his supervisor, Les White. Also delivering remarks were Dr. James Allen, Associate, New Hope, Min. Joan Joseph, Associate, New Hope, and Ambassador Thad Rhodes, Male Chorus, New Hope.

Cox’s father, New Hope’s Senior Pastor, Dr. E. Ray Cox, Sr., delivered the eulogy for his youngest son.

Ryan Keith Cox, born Oct. 9, 1968, leaves to cherish his memory, his parents, Dr. E. Ray Cox, Sr. and Mrs. Maxine  Mills Cox; two brothers Tony F. Mills of N.C. and Ervin Ray Cox Jr. of Virginia Beach; two nieces Codi Cox of Virginia Beach and Toni Mills of N.C.; four nephews Logan Cox of Virginia Beach, Jamaris  (Shonquella) Mills of N.C., Phillip Harris of Washington, D.C., and Mason Harris of Tallahassee, FL; four aunts, two uncles, and a host of other relatives and friends. The services were coordinated by Beach Funeral and Cremation Services, Inc.

Next Week: An exclusive interview with Dr. E. Ray Cox, Sr. by Publisher Brenda H. Andrews.