Barry Cox

Barry Lewis Cox was born Betty Cox’s youngest son on August 2, 1962 in Haleyville. He never had a chance to be anything but successful. Born into a railroad family that knew the value of a hard day's work and due to the death of his father at an early age, Cox was trained by some of the most polite and generous, yet smartest, toughest women in the Pebble/Needmore community. His mother Betty, her mother Leola, his brother George, along with a host of aunts and uncles taught him the early-to-bed and early-to-rise strategy as they were determined to mold him just like the rest of the Crumpton and Finley family.

Raised in the church, Barry learned to play the piano at a young age. He couldn’t read music, so he played by ear. He would absolutely beat the keys off of a piano. If you wouldn’t have known any better, you would have thought Jerry Lee Lewis had entered the building at some point and when Barry left, it was guaranteed the piano would be out of tune. He always had a love for music. I felt like “I was Country when Country Wasn’t Cool” was his theme song. Those Merle Haggard and George Jones cassette tapes were absolutely worn out within a month of buying them.

Barry grew up to be very active in many clubs and activities through his school years at Haleyville. He was involved in VICA and Spanish Club (I don’t know how, the only Spanglish I ever heard him say was “Hello, My Friend!”) He was voted Friendliest, Most Popular and Most Likely to Lead, as well as Mr. Havala by the Haleyville High Class of 1980. Barry always cherished the friendship of his classmates. He would tell us “that’s ole so and so”, “I went to school with him”. He considered it an honor to do anything for a friend and if it was business, he always worked on it twice as hard. He never met a stranger and he wasn’t ashamed to talk to anybody! He told us that as a young boy his mother would make him talk in the mirror to get over his shyness. It proved to be pretty valuable.

Barry entered the trucking world shortly after, working for his uncle at W.M. Burnett Truckline as a driver and eventually as a terminal manager in Tupelo, MS. Several years later, he would eventually enter a career in truck tire sales working with D and D Tire of Tupelo. His many relationships in both businesses led him back to Haleyville to begin his own feed/farm and tire supply business with his mother, Betty Cox, in 1999. He started the business with a 1979 Ford pickup, a wore-out cattle trailer and a $2,500 loan from Traders and Farmers Bank. That has transformed 27 years later into Cox Farm and Tire Supply as well as Cox Trucking. Let me say, we would not be here today if not for both their sacrifices, as well the great customers and employees that have all made it possible, and for that, we Thank You!

Above all, Barry was a great father, grandfather, brother and husband. His kids, grandkids, and family all cherished their time with him and loved him dearly. He taught us all the value of a hard day's work and that nothing in life comes free. He was always a big fan of the working man, especially one in Liberty Overalls. “You can always trust a man in overalls”, he would say. He respected them all - plant workers, mechanics, truckers. The whole blue collar crowd.

Barry retired from full-time at Cox Farms in 2024 and began assisting the Winston
County Sheriff’s Department part-time as a reserve deputy. Again, ironically, he made many friends and gained a new respect for his co-workers and loved nothing more than patrolling with one of his best friends, his partner, Deputy Faith. It became his new passion and he did it for absolutely nothing because he loved giving back and protecting his community. I feel like this was his true happiness later in life. He just always wanted to help somebody. I hope as his children we never forget these same values he instilled in us and handed down by the “Old School”, which I’ve come to learn the older we get is the “Best School”. We love you Dad (aka Pop). Until we meet again.

Barry is survived by his children, Emily Cox Moore (Jay), BJ Cox (Neeley) and John Cox (Sarah); brother, George Cox (Linda) and grandchildren, Cutler Cox, Cohen Cox , Carlee Cox, Lily Kate Cox, Owen McDonald, Emerson Moore, Sutton Moore and Lawson Moore.

Visitation will be Sunday, October 25, 2026 from 12 - 3 p.m. at Pinkard Funeral Home in Haleyville. His funeral will begin at 3 p.m. in the chapel, with Dr. Ron Horton officiating. Burial to follow in Littleville Cemetery.

Pallbearers will be James Moore, Cody Neville, Robert Walton, Jonathan Brannon, Joey Beam and Hunter Tittle. Honorary pallbearers are Eric Faith, Caleb Snoddy, Winston County Sheriff Department and Cox Farms drivers and employees.

In lieu of fowers, the Cox family has set up an account at Pinnacle Bank - Haleyville
(205-486-2225) accepting donations toward the Barry Cox Memorial Scholarship Fund. This fund will provide one student at the Haleyville Center of Technology and one student in the Haleyville High Roaring Lion Band a scholarship each year. Applications to be reviewed and chosen by committee yearly. Thank you.