Family Group Sheet
NameRev. Novie Otis Cox, 4C3R
Birth21 May 1911, Floyd Co., Virginia
Death17 Sep 1979, Christiansburg, Montgomery Co., Virginia
FatherGeorge Jethro Cox (1867-1937)
MotherSabrina Elizabeth Rigney (1868-1934)
SpouseEthel Mozell Quesenberry, 3C3R
Birth14 Sep 1914, Floyd Co., Virginia
Death2 Jul 2005, Blacksburg, Montgomery Co., Virginia
FatherJames Levi Quesenberry (1871-1941)
MotherAmanda Goad (1873-1966)
Notes for Rev. Novie Otis Cox
A news article on his death in the Radford News-Journal of Tuesday, Sept. 18, 1979 reported:
“A Blacksburg man was killed instantly when the truck he was driving crashed through the roof of the Norfolk and Western train station in Christiansburg.
According to Christiansburg Police Chief Alvin Hale, Novie Otis Cox, 68, was killed when the 1971 pickup he was driving left the road and crashed through the roof and door of the NW station.
Cox was traveling north on East Main St. in Christiansburg headed down a steep grade. Police said the vehicle, which was apparently traveling on the wrong side of the road, became "airborne" after crossing Depot St. and traveled approximately 50 yards in the air before striking the railroad station near the tracks. The vehicle crashed through an overhanging portion of the roof on the passenger station and traveled through the door to the building.
Bill Harmon, stationmaster at the Christiansburg depot, said he heard a noise but didn't know the building had been hit. "I was on the west end of the building and I heard a noise but I thought the wreck had been down in Cambria." Harmon said it wasn't until someone came running into the building looking for him that he knew of the accident. "It's a good thing nobody was waiting for the 1011 (Amtrak's Hill topper)" Harmon said. "He was coming down what they call 'Danger Hill' and went over the guard rail. He hit the eave of the building and it just cut the top off the pickup then he crashed through the double doors and landed in the baggage room."
The vehicle was demolished and damage to the train station was estimated at $2,000. The cause of the accident is still unknown and is being investigated by Christiansburg police.”
“A Blacksburg man was killed instantly when the truck he was driving crashed through the roof of the Norfolk and Western train station in Christiansburg.
According to Christiansburg Police Chief Alvin Hale, Novie Otis Cox, 68, was killed when the 1971 pickup he was driving left the road and crashed through the roof and door of the NW station.
Cox was traveling north on East Main St. in Christiansburg headed down a steep grade. Police said the vehicle, which was apparently traveling on the wrong side of the road, became "airborne" after crossing Depot St. and traveled approximately 50 yards in the air before striking the railroad station near the tracks. The vehicle crashed through an overhanging portion of the roof on the passenger station and traveled through the door to the building.
Bill Harmon, stationmaster at the Christiansburg depot, said he heard a noise but didn't know the building had been hit. "I was on the west end of the building and I heard a noise but I thought the wreck had been down in Cambria." Harmon said it wasn't until someone came running into the building looking for him that he knew of the accident. "It's a good thing nobody was waiting for the 1011 (Amtrak's Hill topper)" Harmon said. "He was coming down what they call 'Danger Hill' and went over the guard rail. He hit the eave of the building and it just cut the top off the pickup then he crashed through the double doors and landed in the baggage room."
The vehicle was demolished and damage to the train station was estimated at $2,000. The cause of the accident is still unknown and is being investigated by Christiansburg police.”
