Kenneth Poe Funeral Services

March 19, 2023

CHARLOTTE – William Sumter Cox, 80, died on Sunday, March 19, 2023.  He was born on May 7, 1942, in Spartanburg, SC to the late William Lee Burton Cox and Olga Marie Foshee Cox. 

In his early years, Sumter exhibited a rebellious spirit inspired by his childhood hero, James Dean.  He was happiest riding his Harley-Davidson through the streets of Spartanburg, performing wheelies in the parking lot of the Beacon Drive-In, and gearing down to rattle the windows of neighbors, much to their irritation and his delight.

Sumter graduated from Spartanburg High School.  He also attended the University of South Carolina and was a member of the Phi Delta Theta fraternity; however, school could never contain his deep independence, and he left to pursue success on his own terms, and on those terms was the way he would lead the rest of his life.

His greatest and most remarkable success came early in winning the heart and hand of his wife Emily in 1967.  Her lovingly loyal, patient and understanding support of his unique character and entrepreneurial inclinations was the cornerstone of all joy and success to come.

With an unbreakable work ethic, natural charisma and bent for sales, Sumter became a promising young stockbroker with Interstate Securities in 1964.  In 1973 he left a successful career to pursue his dream of owning his own business.  He started W. Sumter Cox Painting Contractors, patiently mastering his craft and building a successful business based on a rigorous commitment to his values of trust, quality and service.  He loved building personal relationships with his customers and providing opportunities for his employees.

Sumter was wholly dedicated to his trade, serving as a leader of the PDCA (now PCA) where he served a term as president of the Carolina’s Council and won numerous awards for his recruiting, legislative and educational activities to strengthen the industry and assist fellow tradesmen in professionalizing their businesses.

It filled Sumter with great pride when his son, Sumter Jr., joined the business in 2021. Their time working together was a true gift and blessing.

Sumter always treasured annual trips to the beach with his family, especially those at the home of dear friend, Page Renger.  There he could pursue his passions for surf-fishing, cut-throat rounds of golf with his son, and long naps in the hammock on the screened porch.  He loved beach music and was happiest of all on the dance floor, showing off his wife and their accomplished skills at the Carolina shag.  Away from the beach, he was an avid golfer, always up for a game of skins with his good friend Ned Lyerly.

Sumter’s greatest sources of pride were his children and grandchildren, and he relished his role as “Papa Sump.”  He will be lovingly remembered for his stubbornness, corny jokes and often ill-timed sense of humor.

Sumter is survived by his wife, Emily Siewers Cox; children, Ashton Carroll and her husband, John and Sumter Cox, Jr. and his wife, Ellen; grandchildren, Tyler, Emily and Elizabeth Carroll, and Sumter III and Charlie Cox.  Also surviving are his sisters, Patricia Henegar and Joyce Chadwick.

A memorial service will be held at 1:00 PM on Saturday, March 25, 2023, at Selwyn Avenue Presbyterian Church where Sumter was a member.  The family will receive friends following the service in the Fellowship Hall after the service.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be offered in memory of Sumter to Selwyn Avenue Presbyterian Church, 2929 Selwyn Avenue, Charlotte, NC 28209.

Arrangements are in the care of Kenneth W. Poe Funeral & Cremation Service, 1321 Berkeley Ave., Charlotte, NC 28204; (704) 641-7606. Online condolences may be shared at www.kennethpoeservices.com.