Stephen Cox

Stephen J. Cox, 71, passed away on Saturday January 24, 2026, at UNC Healthcare, Morganton, after a period of declining health.

Stephen was born April 23, 1954, in Caldwell County, a son of the late Edward and Miriam Cox. He was a member of the Valdese First United Methodist Church and retired as a carpenter and contractor after many years of hard labor. After retirement he started his own business as a gunsmith, a profession he loved.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife Anna Margaret Abernethy Cox, daughters, Katherine Lucille Cox and Stephanie Cox Shuffler, brother, Charles Cox, sister-in-law Mary Ellen Frye, brother-in-law John E. Frye, and a cousin, James McElveen.

Those left to cherish his memory are his grandson, Connor Gentry, son-in-law, Alan Shuffler, brother-in-law, John Abernethy, Jr and wife April, sister-in-law, Harriet L. Abernethy; and many beloved nieces and nephews.

A Service of Remembrance will be held at 11:00 AM Saturday, February 7, 2026, in the Chapel of Heritage Funeral Service, Valdese, with Rev. April Abernethy officiating.

The family will receive friends the same day from 10 AM to 11 AM at Heritage Funeral Service.

An online guestbook and obituary is available at www.heritagefuneralservice.com.