Minister Cossie Pines Jr.

Minister  Cossie Pines Jr. was born May 27, 1947 to Janie (née Jackson) and the Rev. Cossie Pines Sr. in Grove Hill.

Cossie Jr. dedicated his life to God at an early age. As a young child, he could often be found at one of the local AOH Churches serving alongside his parents in their ministry. He started teaching Sunday School while still in junior high school. Always industrious, he started his first job working as a bus boy at the historic Deaver’s Restaurant when he was only 13. 

After graduating from Wilson Hall High School in 1965, he enlisted in the United States Army where soon after, he was deployed to serve in the Vietnam War. He served as an Artillery Air Defense Controller with the 29th Artillery unit in Qui Nhon. Following completion of his tour of duty, Cossie Jr. spent six more years of active duty serving at bases around the world, including a significant amount of time in Germany. After separation from active duty, he served another 22 years in the Alabama National Guard Army, traveling often to Panama, Honduras and Ecuador on humanitarian missions.

Cossie retired as a Platoon Sergeant for the 778th Maintenance Co. in 1990. In 1991, he was called back to active duty to serve during the Gulf War through the United States Army Individual Ready Reserves. A proud, decorated war veteran, he served a total of 30 years in service to his country.

Never one to let the grass grow under his feet, he enjoyed being able to provide a comfortable life for his family. If he wasn’t found in the Water Treatment Testing laboratory at Boise Cascade Paper Company where he worked more than 30 years, you could find him pursuing his dream of building a HVAC business, working on air conditioners and refrigerators. His favorite pastime was building a new house within his existing home. Even after his retirement, you could find him watching HGTV to gather new ideas, headed to Lowes, Marvin’s, Ace Hardware or Home Depot, searching for materials to execute a new renovation project.

Cossie Jr. pursued higher education his entire life. He attended several schools and obtained many degrees and certificates. He notably was most proud of his matriculation from E.L. White Seminary in Mobile, where he obtained a Bachelor of Science Degree in Theology after receiving his call to the ministry.

As a minister of the Gospel, Cossie Jr. always said, “I am more focused on the people, than I am concerned about the pulpit.” As a result, he turned down several offers to pastor in order to work more fully in the community. His goal was to reach as many hearts as possible, even those who did not regularly attend church. As a result, he created a ‪Sunday Morning Radio Program on WHOD, 94.5 FM, called, “The Anointed Word,” which he faithfully administered from 2006 until the time of his death.

Cossie Jr. was revered as the epitome of what a family head should be by both his wife, children and grandchildren. On Sept. 5, 1969, only a few days after returning from his tour in Vietnam, he married his junior high school crush, Mary Catherine Stewart. Together, during their 53 years of marriage, they enjoyed a beautiful life, raising their three children.

Preceding him in death were his father and mother, the Rev. Cossie Sr. and Janie Cossie; his son, Thomas; three brothers, Fred, James Roy and Phillip; and seven sisters, Susie, Annie, Sarah, Azaree, Joyce, Ethel and Terri.

To preserve his memories, Cossie Jr. leaves his devoted and loving wife of 53 years, Mary Catherine “Cat” Stewart Pines; his beloved children, Cossie III (Shannon) Pines of Theodore and Kathi (LaMont) Godbolt of Prosper, Texas; five cherished grandchildren, Torrance, Quaynesha, Kyante, Treyvion and LaCossie; four adored great-grandchildren, Chaise, Chance, Corbin and Kai Greyson; six close knit siblings, Alice Pines-Billingsley of Cleveland, Ohio, Mary Pines-Kidd of Hartford, Conn., George (Tina) Pines of Columbus, Ga., Jack (Mary) Pines of Fayetteville, N.C., Daniel Pines and Gloria Pines, both of Mobile.

He also leaves to cherish his memory his brothers and sisters-in “Love,” Mary T. Pines of Hartford, Conn., Ida Pines and Arthur Spears Jr., both of Mobile, Ezell Dawson of Kingsland, Ga., JoAnn Younger of Pittsburgh, Pa., Beatrice (Danny) McLain of New Castle, Del., Ephren Stewart Jr. and Marcus Stewart, both of Jackson, Micheal T. (Hiawatha) Stewart of Mt. Vernon and Mitchell (Kim) Stewart of Indianapolis, Ind.  

In addition, Cossie Jr. leaves his lifelong friend and close companion since elementary school, Arthur Patterson of Bonham, Texas and trusted advisor, mentor, and second father figure, Bishop Jessie Henry Sr. of Jackson.

Cossie Jr. deeply loved all of his family and leaves behind many close cousins, nephews and nieces, as well as many other friends in his community that were touched by his life’s work.

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