Ernest "Moochie" Cox

Ernest Bernard “Moochie” Cox, 89, of Ocean Springs, passed away on Monday, April 15, 2024 surrounded by family. 

Moochie was born on October 26, 1934 to Harold & Elise Ryan Cox in Ocean Springs. Moochie attended St. Alphonsus Catholic School and graduated from Ocean Springs High School in 1954. Moochie went on to enlist in the military in which he played on the Army’s baseball team. Moochie was also part of the Mississippi Gulf Coast Baseball League where he played on Gulf Hills baseball team. After leaving the military, Moochie went on to become a barber in 1958, kicking off a 40 plus year career in which he owned and operated Cox’s Barber Shop in Vancleave and then in St. Martin. 

After retiring, Moochie spent his time enjoying the casinos, gardening, making hot sauce with his peppers, watching the Atlanta Braves and enjoying his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. 

Moochie met Anna Belle Borries, of D’Iberville, at a basketball game. They wed in 1958 and went on to have four children, Mark, Randall, Nedia and Byron. 

Moochie was preceded in death by his parents; his in-laws, James & Mildred Borries; his brothers, Harold, Jimmy, and Robert Sr.; sister, Shirley Cox Seymour; and sister in-law and brother in-law, Janet & Augie Derouen.

 Moochie is survived by his wife of 65 years, Anna Belle; children, Mark (Sharon), Randall (Shelly), Nedia Wise (Greg), and Byron; his grandchildren, Megan Calton (Charlie), Jamie Strayham (Ivan), Aaron (Kelsey), Amanda Hayball (Justin), Greg Wise (Lauren), Jessica Cox, Ryan (Courtney), and Harrison Wise (Whitney); his great-grandchildren, Maci, Caston, Suzanna, Charla, Annaston, Greyson, Cody, Easton, Rhett, Shepard, Seoul, Forrest, Jade, Ryker, and Cohen; his sister, Rose Smith(JB); sister in-law, Peggy Cox; as well as a host of very dear nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be on Friday April 19, 2024 from 10:00 am until 11:00 am followed by an 11:00 am Mass of Christian Burial all at St Alphonsus Catholic Church. The Burial will follow at Crestlawn Memorial Park.

 The family requests that donations be made to the American Heart Association or Make-A-Wish Mississippi in lieu of flowers.

Bradford-O’Keefe Funeral Home is honored to serve the family of Ernest Bernard “Moochie” Cox.