Gifted to James C. Cox, Sr., and his devoted wife Catherine Cox through the blessings of adoption, Jimmy graced the world with his presence on March 22, 1963. Raised in Richmond's vibrant community and educated at Sojourner Truth School and within the nurturing walls of the United Methodist Church, Jimmy was enveloped in a home that valued and emphasized education. This nurturing environment kindled his lifelong passion for reading and learning.
It was Sister Ollie May Williams who first introduced Jimmy to the Elizabeth Baptist Church, led by the late Reverend J. L. Johnson. Here, Jimmy found a spiritual haven where he later became a choir member under the direction of Steven Roberts and deepened his commitment to his faith. Influenced by his father's Baptist roots and his mother's Methodist traditions, Jimmy chose to walk in his father's spiritual footsteps.
The love of sports was another gift from his father, an ardent fan of the Warriors, Oakland A's, and the San Francisco Giants, which inspired Jimmy's own passion for sports. He also learned the importance of diligence and maintenance from his father, skills that would serve him throughout life. The loss of his father in 1980 was a profound sorrow that deeply impacted him.
Jimmy's academic and social development flourished at California State University at Hayward, where he built lasting relationships and joined the Kappa Alpha PSI fraternity. His commitment to his church life continued to evolve, particularly after meeting the late Reverend M. J. Williams of Bethany Baptist Church, where Jimmy delivered his first sermon in the mid-1980s.
The joy of fatherhood touched Jimmy in July of 1985 with the birth of his only begotten son, Joshua James, a source of immense pride and happiness.
His ministerial journey included significant service at Olivet Institutional Missionary Baptist Church under the late Bishop Gordon A. Humphrey, where he felt honored to serve as First Assistant to the Pastor. After a brief ministry in Reno, NV, at the Greater New Hope Missionary Baptist Church, he returned to his spiritual community at Olivet continuing to serve.  As the church expanded to Chicago, ILL and Stockton, California, Jimmy was honored to serve the church in Stockton as Lead Pastor.
Jimmy married the love of his life, Nedra, on May 17, 2008, blending their families into a picture-perfect union. In 2013, Jimmy faced severe health challenges but was blessed with a life-extending double lung transplant in 2014, allowing him more precious years to preach and inspire.
The revelation of his adoption came full circle when he received a surprising call from his sister Lisa, introducing herself and their siblings with whom he quickly formed an unbreakable bond.
As his health waned and upon his doctors' advice, Jimmy retired from active pastoral duties in 2018 to focus on his well-being.
Jimmy was preceded in death by his afore mentioned parents
He leaves behind his loving wife of 16 years, Nedra; son Joshua (Cicely); grandchildren Jakai, Jordan, Jurnee, Jurmanee, and Juelz; bonus daughter Alexandria Williams, bonus granddaughter Londyn Dunn; and siblings Lisa Harris (Chuck), Paula Bankett Young (Milton), Vickie Conmy (Peter), Leslie Miles, and brother Christopher Grant.
Jimmy's life was a testament to the enduring strength of faith, love, and the profound impact of knowing one's roots. Rest well, Jimmy. You have fought a good fight, you have kept the faith, and now you have received your