Jean Allen Eggleston remembered for her substance and style

By Debora Timms

Jean Allen Eggleston, a lifelong Richmonder, died on Monday, May 1, 2023, at the age of 89. She will be remembered as loving and supportive to her family, a loyal friend, a kind teacher and a fashionista.

“That is the one thing that always gets mentioned after saying what a good person she was – her love of clothes and fashion,” her son, Neverett A. Eggleston III said earlier this week by telephone. The truth of that can be seen in the comments posted in the online guest book at Scott’s Funeral Home, where more than one former student fondly remembered their stylish math teacher and her shoes.

Mr. Eggleston says his mother related her wardrobe choices to her early days of teaching. She attended Virginia State University, graduated from Virginia Union University and did her student teaching at James H. Blackwell

Elementary School. “All the teachers dressed up,” he recalls her saying. “When integration happened, she saw the white teachers didn’t dress up. They wore leisure clothes, which she wasn’t used to. My mother kept with what she knew. She always dressed for school.” ninth grade. The high school sweethearts married in 1957 and had two children together – their son Neverett, and daughter Jayne J. EgglestonVann. She took pride in being involved and supportive in their lives.

Mrs. Eggleston’s career as a teacher spanned from the 1950s to her retirement in 1995. In addition to Blackwell, she also taught at Randolph School and John Marshall High School.

“I don’t think I could have asked for a more loving and supportive mother,” her son said. “Being a loyal friend meant a lot to her as well.”

Bernetta Washington – known affectionately as “Peanut.”

Her other passions involved her church and her garden. Mrs. Eggleston was a dedicated member of Wesley Memorial United Methodist Church and an avid gardener.

“She loved to have her hands in the dirt. She could do it for hours and hours,” Mr. Eggleston said. “Even in her last days, she still wanted to get out there. She had a real love of the earth.”

Jean Allen Eggleston is survived by her husband, son and daughter, brother-in-law Judge Willard Douglas, four grandchildren –Eunique Davis, Sojourner Eggleston, Enyah Eggleston and Ashley Eggleston, and two great-grandchildren, Preston Eggleston and Nylah Eggleston.

Musician Marlon Cox remembered for his talent, personality and sense of humor

By Craig Belcher

Musician and entrepreneur

Marlon Jermaine Cox died on Saturday, April 29, 2023, after a suffering a medical emergency in early April. Mr. Cox, 49, was known for his musical endeavors as a solo R&B artist, as the producer of a gospel group featuring family members, “The Henley Family Gospel Singers, and working with artists such as Joi, Angie Stone and Raphael Saddiq. He also provided music for various film and television productions.

There was another side to the guitarist, however. Cox was enamored with monster trucks and their remote control toy counterparts, known as “RC trucks.” In 2013, he and his brother formed Showtime RC Motorsports, a remote control car club. Together, they created miniature monster truck events that featured music, fireworks and smoke machines. Their shows were featured on local television newscasts and they would eventually host events around the country.

“Nobody else was doing it at that level,” his brother, Rafael Cox, said. “And that kind of skyrocketed Showtime to the top. We became like the biggest RC event. ”

With friends and associates in the R&B and gospel industry, as well as a following in the RC car community, Mr. Cox’s funeral at Mimms Funeral Home on May 9 was a diverse gathering of more than 300 friends and family. The service was anchored by his music, particularly the gospel songs he recorded with his family, “Do As You Will,” and “Done Deal,” their message and memories of the father of three.

Mr. Cox said his brother’s extensive amount of friends and associates was due to his brother’s infectious personality, kindhearted nature and sense of humor.

“He’s very consistent on making sure people didn’t feel like he didn’t have time for them,” he said.

“People love him.”

The Cox’s first cousin, R&B singer D’angelo, spoke briefly during the Tuesday service.

“Marlon, he was more than just my first cousin, he was my first friend,” he said and gestured toward Mr. Cox’s casket, flanked by his Gibson guitar and a miniature monster truck. “He was the best.”

Rafael Cox said he hasn’t decided if Showtime Motorsports will continue. Another relative, Ms. Twanda Cox, who sang at the service and previously recorded with Marlon Cox, promised to move forward with the music they were creating.

“His job is not done because each and every one of us – that had a song, or he wrote a song – we better keep singing that song,” she said.

Besides his brother, Marlon, Mr. Cox is survived by his mother, Mary Jane Cox, two daughters, Kaeja and Makayla Cox, and son Kaden Cox.

“BACK IN SERVICE” Our doors are open again every Sunday @ 11:00 am. Live Streaming Every Sunday At: BRBConline.org or YouTube (Broad Rock Baptist Church) “MAKE IT HAPPEN”

216 W. Leigh St., Richmond, Va. 23220 Tel: 804-643-3366 Fax: 804-643-3367

Sunday Church School • 9am (Zoom)

Sunday Morning Worship • 11am (in-person and livestream on YouTube)

Wednesday Bible Study • 7pm (Zoom)

Growing up, Mrs. Eggleston lived with her grandmother on Allen Avenue in the West End and met her future husband, Neverett A. Eggleston, Jr., in the

Mr. Eggleston said his mother was hit hard by the recent deaths of two very close friends, her sister-inlaw Jane Douglas and Gail Fitchett. She took comfort in the sisterhood she had with other dear friends, Margaret Lawrence, his godmother Claudette Martin, and

Broad Rock Baptist Church 5106 Walmsley Blvd., Richmond, VA 23224 804-276-2740 • 804-276-6535 (fax) www.BRBCONLINE.org

“BACK IN SERVICE” Our doors are open again

“MAKE IT HAPPEN”

Pastor Kevin Cook

Funeral services will be held 1:30 p.m. Thursday, May 11, at Wesley Memorial United Methodist Church, 1720 Mechanicsville Turnpike. 1858 The People’s Church

Please visit our website Ebenezer Baptist Church Richmond, VA for updates http://www. ebenezerrva.org

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