Ruth Alene Brown Cox

May 1, 1935 – June 15, 2025

Late Sunday evening on Father’s Day June 15, 2025, in the presence of family members who were singing Jesus Loves Me This I Know, wife, Mom, Grandma, Great Gigi peacefully entered the presence of her Savior and Lord.  We believe that it was no coincidence that her Heavenly Father chose Father’s Day to bring her home, and it must have been a grand reunion for Mom and Dad on this special day! At the age of 90, Rev. Ruth Cox is now singing with the heavenly hosts!

Ruth was born on May 1, 1935, to Marvin Wayne Brown and Mary Lou Cooper Brown in Hartford, Kentucky. At a young age, she gave her heart to Jesus and was baptized. As the youngest of nine in her family, she and her five sisters and three brothers would sing together. In fact, as teenagers, Ruth and her sister Juanita competed in The Morris B. Sachs Amateur Hour Talent Contest in Chicago as a singing duo.

While Rev. Wilbur John Cox was pastoring in Hammond, Indiana, Ruth met his handsome and athletic son, Chuck, in church.  They married on August 2, 1950, sharing life together as husband and wife for more than 67 years.  What experiences they enjoyed, building a loving home and raising a family in Cedar Lake, Indiana!  They were an amazing team parenting four children to adulthood – Charles Jr. (Chuck), John, Nila and Gail.

Because of Ruth’s warm and loving personality, people gravitated to her.  She was an incredible homemaker, an amazing mom and grandmother, a terrific cook, and a gifted singer, which included her ability to yodel. Shortly after their marriage, Ruth and Chuck purchased a little cottage home. Through additions and modifications, they turned it into what some called a small lodge. These same skills were applied in subsequent homes, making each one a welcoming place.  They enjoyed many times together camping, fishing and exploring God’s creation.  All these times included singing … in the car, around campfires and any occasion that lent itself to making melody.

As the kids grew, Chuck and Ruth involved themselves in their interests: school, music and sports.  She coached youth softball.  Investing in the kids’ lives was a priority.  As they reached high school age, she and Chuck adjusted schedules so that they could attend as many concerts and athletic events as possible.  They were tremendous encouragers.

After the boys married, Chuck and Ruth began singing with their daughters in churches and at other events throughout the region.  As their ministry grew and word spread of their musical talents, they felt God leading them to travel full-time. Forming The Singing Cox Family, they crisscrossed the U.S. and Canada, ministering through services and concerts. During several years of singing ministry, they had engagements at TV 38 in Chicago, 100 Huntley Street in Toronto and produced four albums.

In a few years, a new phase of ministry began.  The girls married and started families of their own.  Chuck and Ruth were called to pastoral ministry.  They both received their credentials through the General Council of the Assemblies of God.  Their first church was in Columbus, Montana.  After three years there, they were called to First Assembly of God, in Winner, South Dakota.  During an eight-year pastorate, the church grew and added a new sanctuary.  Much of the work, Chuck and Ruth did themselves.

Saying goodbye to the cold winters of the north and hearing the beaches of Florida beckoning, this wonderful team accepted the pastorate at Eastside Assembly of God, in Pensacola, Florida.  In a few years, they felt God transitioning them to take the pastorate in Point Washington, Florida, their last full-time ministry position.  Later, at Victory Assembly of God in Ferry Pass, Florida, Rev. Chuck Cox served as interim pastor.  Since then, Chuck and Ruth supported churches, and their pastors, in the Pensacola and Springfield, Missouri areas, taking lay leadership roles, singing duets, and being part of the worship teams until the day of Chuck’s beautiful homegoing Dec 17, 2017.

Preceding her in death are her husband Chuck and brothers Oswald, Russell and Willard, and sisters Ruby, Edna, Georgia, Wilma, and Juanita.

Ruth and Chuck’s children are Chuck and his wife, Jo, of Springfield, Missouri; John and his wife, Marty, of Cheyenne, Wyoming;  Nila Chambers and her husband, Rick, of Milton, Florida; and Gail Brown and her husband, Brad, of Hebron, Indiana.  These children produced 12 grandchildren who have produced 30 great-grandchildren.  Many are actively singing in their respective churches across the nation.

What a legacy and heritage the Revs. Chuck and Ruth Cox leave! They have influenced so many lives for the Kingdom of God.  The family would like to thank all the congregations where Chuck and Ruth ministered and gave of their talents.  Your expressions and acts of love for our parents are beyond measure!

Ruth has supported Assemblies of God Missionaries, Brandon and Shayla Cox, who have been U.S. missionaries for 12 years and are now about to embark on a new assignment with World Missions in the Netherlands. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to support this much needed ministry where only 4% of the population claim to have a relationship with Jesus. Giving may be done online at www.giving.ag.org to account #2960177 or by mailing a check to Brandon Cox, 4273 E Sherwood Circle, Springfield, MO  65802 with account #2960177 in the memo field.