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Robert Cowan Sr.

FUNERAL HOME

Unity Mortuary - Knoxville

1425 McCalla Avenue

Knoxville, Tennessee

Robert Cowan Obituary

Robert Cowan Sr.

Knoxville, TN

E-3 Robert Milton Cowan Sr., 79, passed away February 18, 2016 at Ft. Sanders Regional Medical Center with his family by his side. Robert was born on November 28, 1936 in Knoxville, Tennessee to the late Lew and Helen Francis Delaney Cowan. He was better known as "Puddin" to his family and close friends. He graduated from Austin High School in 1954 and in 1956, Robert enlisted in the United States Navy as Signalman. He proudly served on the USS Loftberg. After being honorably discharged, he became employed by the Knoxville Utility Board for 28 ½ years and served in the position of automobile mechanic and assistant foreman. After retiring from KUB he obtained a position at Unity Mortuary for many years.

Robert is preceded in death by parents, Lewis and Helen Cowan; step-mother, Marie Cowan; sister, Barbara Shands; brother, Walter Cowan; and sister, Lillian. He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Gladys Sheely Cowan; and their 4 children, Helen Ruth (Carl) Kincaid, Robert Milton Cowan Jr., Sharon Denise (Joe) Meady, Sabrina Diane (Jarvis) Johnson; sister, JoAnn Satterfield, sister-in-law, Pauline Cowan; brothers-in-law, Edger Johnson and Sylvester Sheely; 13 devoted grandchildren, 6 great-grandchildren, and a host of nieces, nephews, and other family members.

The family will receive friends from 11:00-12:00, Thursday, February 25, 2016 at Sentertown Missionary Baptist Church with funeral service to follow at 12:00 Noon, Pastor Keith Elliott officiating. Interment to follow at East Tennessee Veterans Cemetery. Services to conclude with full military honors, dove release and blanket presentation. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the church. Professional services made with integrity by Unity Mortuary. Mr. Cowan's guestbook can be signed on line at www.unitymortuary and www.legacy.com.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Knoxville News Sentinel from Feb. 23 to Feb. 24, 2016.

Memories and Condolences
for Robert Cowan

21 Entries

The Culbertson, Givens and Harris families

February 26, 2016

To theCowan Family:
We offer our deepest sympathy at the loss of Mr. Cowan and pray that Gods' peace and grace sustain each of you.

Minister Jimmy Bagwell

February 26, 2016

God has promoted another person to a higher level in his kingdom. Praying for the family.

LaTravia Williams

February 25, 2016

My thoughts and prayers are with the family of Mr.Cowan. He will be missed! I enjoyed running into him at Food City Millertown. Proverbs 3:5-6

Rep. Joe Armstrong

February 25, 2016

To the Cowan Family,
You have my deepest sympathy for your loss, Puddin was great father,friend and role model. I am sadden by the fact of my obligations at the state capitol that I cannot attend the homegoing. God Bless

February 25, 2016

So sorry for your lost. Prayers and thoughts are with you and your family.
West High Cafeteria Staff

Marvin Lowery

February 24, 2016

Milton, Sharon, and family: Sorry for your loss. God bless you!

Nicholas Cowan

February 24, 2016

Love you, Unk.

February 24, 2016

Bill and Judy Hiscock send our prayers and love for the family. We adore Sharon and Pauline.

E. L. Henson, III

February 24, 2016

Prayers and condolences at this time of sorrow.

Melvin & Mary Tate

February 24, 2016

Our prayers in the loss of your love one,
May God continue to hold you in his arms

Terri Greenlee Warren and Sons

February 24, 2016

Mrs. Cowan, Helen, Milton, Sharon and Sabrina, I am so sorry for your loss. Keeping you all in my prayers. May God continue to bless and keep each of you. Love you all

corrine wilson

February 24, 2016

May God bless the family .

Pearl Marion

February 23, 2016

To the Cowan family. May God give you peace and comfort in your time of sorrow. We love you all very much.

Pennie Cunningham Bragg

February 23, 2016

To my brother (Robert)from another mother..I pray the Lord will give you all that you need to pass through this season.. The God you serve is a good god.. he can do all but fail..trusting in him is what we do.. in sadness,grief,sorrow,he will be there..Cause love is what does..

February 23, 2016

Dearest Gladys, Helen Ruth, Milton, Sharon and Sabrina;

My thoughts and prayers are with you now and always as you go through your loss. May God give you the love and comfort that only He can give you now and forever. Trusting that you find peace in knowing that your Husband and Father is resting with the Lord.

Bonnie B. Kirby & Family

February 23, 2016

You are in our hearts and prayers, Gladys Cowan and children. Love you, Austin Cowan and Kimberly Upton

Cheryl Alsup

February 23, 2016

My condolences to you and your family Sharon.

David & Alisa Mills

February 23, 2016

May the love of God, and the sweet communion of Jesus Christ comfort and keep thee is our prayer.

Love, David Mills & Alisa Haushalter

Anthony (Tony) Waters

February 23, 2016

Be Still

Be still like the grass on a melancholy summer day
Be still like desert shrub.

Be calm and you will hear your loved one speak, in the stillness, in the calm, their love resounds.

If you are still this promise I make, you will hear the voice of your loved one helping you along your way.

By Lamaretta Simmons

Helen Waters & Family

February 23, 2016

To my dearest family, some things I'd like to say...
but first of all, to let you know, that I arrived okay.
I'm writing this from heaven. Here I dwell with God above.
Here, there's no more tears of sadness; here is just eternal love.

Please do not be unhappy just because I'm out of sight.
Remember that I'm with you every morning, noon and night.
That day I had to leave you when my life on earth was through,
God picked me up and hugged me and He said, "I welcome you."

It's good to have you back again; you were missed while you were gone.
As for your dearest family, they'll be here later on.
I need you here badly; you're part of my plan.
There's so much that we have to do, to help our mortal man.

God gave me a list of things, that he wished for me to do.
And foremost on the list, was to watch and care for you.
And when you lie in bed at night, the day's chores put to flight.
God and I are closest to you....in the middle of the night.

When you think of my life on earth, and all those loving years
because you are only human, they are bound to bring you tears.
But do not be afraid to cry; it does relieve the pain.
Remember there would be no flowers, unless there was some rain.

I wish that I could tell you all that God has planned.
But if I were to tell you, you wouldn't understand.
But one thing is for certain, though my life on earth is o'er.
I'm closer to you now, than I ever was before.

There are many rocky roads ahead of you and many hills to climb;
but together we can do it by taking one day at a time.
It was always my philosophy and I'd like it for you too...
that as you give unto the world, the world will give to you.

If you can help somebody who's in sorrow and pain,
then you can say to God at night......"My day was not in vain."
And now I am contented....that my life has been worthwhile,
knowing as I passed along the way, I made somebody smile.

So if you meet somebody who is sad and feeling low,
just lend a hand to pick him up, as on your way you go.
When you're walking down the street, and you've got me on your mind;
I'm walking in your footsteps only half a step behind.

And when it's time for you to go.... from that body to be free,
remember you're not going.....you're coming here to me.

Ruth Ann Mahaffey (author)
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