Richmond Times-Dispatch
Richmond, VA
October 13, 1998
COSBY Joseph H. Cosby, born in 1902 in Hampton, died
Sunday. He was the son of Joseph Hugh and Harriet
Hathaway Cosby. Col. Cosby, who was a graduate of Fork
Union Military Academy, held A.B. and L.L.D. degrees from
the University of Richmond, where he was Phi Beta Kappa
and ODK, an M.A. degree from the University of Virginia
and a T.H.B. degree from the Southern Baptist Theological
Seminary. Dr. Cosby served Baptist pastorates in
Danville, Irvington, Crozet amd Lexington, and lastly at
Branch's, he was instrumental in helping to design and
construct a beautiful new sanctuary and also helped to
established two new churches, Southside and Cosby
Memorial. He was chairman of the committee which chose
Eagle Eyrie as the site for Virginia's Baptist New
Assembly grounds. Col. Cosby was a U.S. Army Chaplain in
the European Theater during World War II and was
President of Hargrave Military Academy from 1951 to 1970.
While at Hargrave, he was a member of the Southern
Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools Evaluation
Com mittee, served as President of the Southern
Association of Independent Schools and President of the
National Association of NDCC Schools (Military). He was
recognized for his accomplishments by being listed in
Who's Who in America. He also represented Virginia on the
Board of Trustees of the Golden Gate Theological Seminary
for 13 years. After retirement from Hargrave in 1970, he
served as Chairman of the Pittsylvani a Library Board and
the Chairman Rescue Squad, as a County Surveyor, an
interim pastor of six Danville churches and as Chaplain
of the Roman Eagle Home. Since returning to Newport News
in 1988, Dr. Cosby has been an active member of Riverside
and Orcutt Baptist Churches as well as a member of the
Retired Men's Club and of American Legion Post 368.
During his later years, Dr. Cosby spent many hours
enjoying the warmth and friendship of his family and many
friends. Col. Cosby was preceded in death by his wife of
62 years, Helen Eubank Cosby. Survivors include his
daughter, Jayne Cosby Wilkinson; two sisters, Nancy C.
Faulkner, and Etta C. Bridgers, all of Newport News, as
well as numerous nieces and nephews. The family will
recieve friends Tuesday from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at Peninsula
Funeral Home. A funeral will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday
at Orcutt Baptist Church by Rev. James Doyle, Rev. Tommy
Davidson, and Rev. Cecil Chambers. Burial will take place
at 2:30 p.m. at Branch's Baptist Church cemetery in
Richmond. Memorial donations may be made to the Col.
Joseph Cosby Scholarship Fund at Hargrave Military
Academy, Chatham, Va. 24531. Peninsula Funeral Home in
Newport News, Va. is in charge of arrangements.