Dr. James Cobb Jr.
Posted: January 17, 2010
Apex – Dr. James Venner Cobb Jr., 81, of 434 Eyam Hall Lane, Apex died Wednesday, January 13, 2010 at Duke Hospice Hock Family Pavilion from complications of pneumonia. Born August 1, 1928 in Memphis, TN, to the Reverend James V. Cobb Sr. and Bessie Eugenia Thompson Cobb, he spent most of his life studying, performing, and teaching music. From an early age, music was his calling and his passion. At the age of 14, he worked as organist for his father’s church in Mississippi. He attended Rhodes College in Memphis, TN, earning his Bachelor of Arts in Music with distinction. He completed his Master’s Degree in church music from Boston University. He served in the Army during the Korean War, entertaining troops stationed around the world. After two years, he returned to post-graduate study at the University of Illinois in Champaign, earning a Doctor of Musical Arts in Choral Conducting and Literature. Dr. Cobb’s teaching career includes positions at Flora MacDonald College, Atlantic Christian College (now Barton College), St. Andrews Presbyterian College, Mississippi University for Women, Elon College, Guilford Community College and Guilford Technical College. He was chairman of the Wilson County Board of Education and Chairman of the Scotland County Educational Advisory Committee. Dr. Cobb is survived by Barbara Hill Cobb, his wife of 57 years; two daughters, The Reverend Elizabeth Cobb Lilly and husband Henry Thomas Lilly of Newton, N.C. and Catherine Cobb Adams and husband Frank Adams of Laurinburg; one son, James Venner Cobb III and wife Jill Marie Cobb of Cary; 10 grandchildren, Frank Adams III, Russ Moore Adams, Stewart McIntyre Adams, Chadbourne Mark Rumley, Catherine Elizabeth Rumley, Christopher Scott Rumley, Henry Thomas Lilly III, Kirby Elizabeth Cobb, Carter James Cobb, and Ella Marie Cobb. He was preceded in death by his youngest daughter Martha Cobb Rumley and Betty Cobb Buchanan, sister. The funeral service will be held at First Presbyterian Church in Burlington on Sunday, January 17, 2010 at 4:00 p.m. by Rev. William Livingston, Interim Rector and Rev. John Earl, Deacon of St. Albans Episcopal Church in Hickory, N.C. The family will receive friends in the John Knox room immediately following the service. Memorial gifts may be sent to the First Presbyterian Church, Music Memorial Fund, 508 West Davis Street, Burlington, N.C. 27215. Rich & Thompson Funeral and Cremation Service in Burlington, N.C. is in charge of arrangements. Condolences may be offered at www.richandthompson.com.