Maxie Earl “Bud” Cox, 76, of Kinston, went to be with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on Sunday, Jan. 8, 2012, at University Health Systems Inpatient Hospice, Greenville, after a short, courageous battle with cancer. Born in Beaufort County on Dec. 3, 1935, he was the son of the late Jarvis Joyner Cox and Nellie Edwards Cox. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by an infant brother.

Bud served in the U.S. Navy on the USS Rochester for five years, often deployed overseas. He was employed with the City of Kinston as Superintendent of Public Utilities, Electric Operation, for 32 years. After retirement, he was associated with E & R Electric for eight years. He was a member of Kinston First Pentecostal Holiness Church for over 40 years; a member of VFW Post #2771; American Legion Post #0504; and the USS Rochester Association. His favorite pastime was being with his family.

Survivors include his wife of 53 years, Betty Harrington Cox of the home; daughter, Sonya Cox Wells and husband Glenn of Snow Hill; son, Steven Earl Cox of Kinston; grandchildren, Krista Rae Alphin and Hunter Dawson Wells; step-grandchildren, Anna Marie Wiggins and Brandon Lee Wiggins; step-great-granddaughter, Brandy Marie Bullock; and sisters, Nancy Cox Riggleman and husband Fred of Inwood, W.Va., Peggy Cox Turniquist and husband Nelson of Walpole, Mass., Mary Cox Hite and husband Allen of Keyser, W.Va., and Barbara Cox Prillman and husband David of Front Royal, Va.

The family will receive friends from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m. tonight at Kinston First Pentecostal Holiness Church. Funeral services will follow visitation, beginning at 7 p.m. with pastor Brian Rogers and the Rev. Willis Pearson officiating. Interment will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday at Pinelawn Memorial Park with the Rev. Jim Forehand officiating.

Flowers are welcome or memorials may be made to First Pentecostal Holiness Church, 711 Phillips Road, Kinston, NC 28504.

The family wishes to thank everyone for all their support and prayers during this time.

Arrangements are by Howard-Carter Funeral Home.