Dr. Carl Mervil Cousins was born October 13, 1932 in Victoria, Virginia. He was the youngest of four sons born to the late Lucious J. and Annie Dowdy Cousins. He passed on Sunday, Dec. 4, 2016. Carl was educated in the Victoria Public School System. In 1948, he graduated class valedictorian of Lunenburg High School. He received his Bachelor’s of Science degree from Virginia State College. At the age of nineteen, he was commissioned as a 2nd lieutenant in the United States Army in 1952. He received his Doctorate Degree in Veterinary Medicine from Tuskegee University. After graduation, “Doc” was recruited by the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine as an instructor of Small Animal Medicine & Surgery and a Rotational Residency Program. He owned and operated Haverford Small Animal Hospital for many years along with the one in West Philadelphia. He was a devout and active member of Zion Baptist Church, Ardmore, PA. On April 14, 1962, Carl married the love of his life, Althea L. Edmiston. Together they have enjoyed 54 years of marital bliss. Dr. Carl M. Cousins leaves to cherish his memory, his wife, Dr. Althea L. Edmiston Cousins; two daughters, Kimberly Mary Cousins and Dr. Karen Anne Cousins; four grandchildren and a host of relatives, special friends, and colleagues. Service will be held on Sat., Dec. 17, 2016, 11:30 am, St. Sahag & St. Mesrob Armenian Apostolic Church, 630 Clothier Rd., Wynnewood, PA; viewing 8-11 am; interment, Monday, Dec. 19, 2016, 10:30 am, Washington Crossing National Cemetery, Newtown, PA. In lieu of flowers, donations in Dr. Cousins’ name may be made to Zion Baptist Church Scholarship Fund. Uplifting Life Services arranged by DeBaptiste Funeral Homes, Inc. of West Chester and Bryn Mawr, PA ~www.DeBaptiste.com ~ 610-696-4812.

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Published by Main Line Media News from Dec. 12 to Dec. 18, 2016.

Memories and Condolences
for Carl Cousins

Sponsored by Family.

34 Entries

Deborah Hopkins

August 13, 2024

Dr. C. Cousins was my the best Boss I ever had, taught me to be a technician and a receptionist, I miss him so much also he treated me like a daughter

John Graves

November 30, 2023

Dr. Cousins was a great friend to my family, my grandmother and myself. He was a great asset to his community and to the field of Veterinary Medicine in the region. I definitely miss his presence.

John Graves

November 30, 2020

Dr. Cousins was my family vet for many years. I was sorry to hear about his passing over four years ago. I hope that his family finds comfort during the anniversary of his death.

Janet Simpkins

December 1, 2019

Dr Carl Cousins was a role model and mentor for me and a multitude of others. He set the bar high and demonstrated that the road to greatness is humility.

Hebrew Yisrael

August 3, 2018

Dr. Cousins was the coolest dude & humble Vet I ever met. Wow - what a gentle soul & I just found out to my surprise

Lynn Carter

September 14, 2017

Dear family:

I am so sorry for your loss. My sincere condolences and heartfelt prayers go out to the family.

December 19, 2016

I am so sorry for your great loss. May the God who "binds up the brokenhearted" and "comforts all who mourn" sustain your family during this challenging time. (Isaiah 61:1,2) With heartfelt sympathy.

Staci Ellis

December 17, 2016

In deep sadness for this tremendous loss in our lives, and in thanks for time having Dr. Cousin's great presence. Sending prayers for the family's peace & strength, my love is with you, always

Vincent Gunter

December 17, 2016

He's Only Gone on Ahead

He's only gone on ahead of you,
Not just left you behind.
Although you can't be with him right now,
He lives on in your heart and mind.

The day will come when you'll meet again
On Heaven's distant shore,
And the two of you will walk hand in hand
Together forever more.

Eric Coombs

December 17, 2016

Tina and I are deeply touched by your loss. Carl was a great man and a true brother in the Guardsmen. I will truly miss him.

December 16, 2016

To Dr. Althea Cousins and daughters, Kim and Karen.
Dr. Carl Cousins was a first, one and only kind of trailblazer.
You attended our wedding (1978) and have been in the Simpkins (Ardmore, Pa.) family for a very, very long time. We will honor the life of Dr. Carl Cousins while we continue to love you.

-Linda (Simpkins)and Theodore Dickerson Jr.

Jon Kruse

December 16, 2016

We are deeply touched and we will miss Carl. We treasure all the great memories of our times together in Freeport!
Jon and Bonnie Kruse

Anita Jones

December 15, 2016

We send sympathies and prayers for peace to Dr Cousin''s family. He was always so kind to both of us.
Anita Peeples Jones and Daniel C Jones, Jr
Poughkeepsie NY (formally Ardmore PA)

Patrick Barnes

December 14, 2016

Dr. Cousins was a wonderful mentor, frat brother, and leader as Tuskegee veterinarian , prayers and sympathy for the Cousins family

George Hearn

December 14, 2016

To the family of the late Dr. Carl M. Cousins,
My wife, siblings and I send our deepest sympathy and condolences in the passing of your husband, father and grandfather. We can only imagine how much you miss him, we too, will sorely miss him. We knew Dr. Cousins as a father, friend, the first African American Veterinarian on the Main Line and a member of the Trustee Board of our church.Therefore, he stood as a role model for us and many other young people in the Main Line community.
My mother, many years ago, would gather a bunch of guys in our home on Holland Avenue. She would have Dr. Cousins come and talk to us. he talked to us about many things including the purpose of leadership, honesty and being an upright member of the community.
Doc believed in education and encouraged us to continue our education after high school.
We are so grateful for having had him in our lives and we thank you for sharing him with us.
Sorrowfully,
Arlene Taylor, William, George and Violet Hearn

Carrie E. King

December 13, 2016

Keeping the entire Cousin family in prayer. Dr. Cousin touched the lives of many veterinarians and others as well. Although he is gone from your midst physically, he still lives within your hearts through loving memories. May God bless and strengthen you during this difficult moment.

Deans Office, College of Veterinary Medicine, Tuskegee University

Valerie Hutton-LaBohne

December 12, 2016

Dear Terri,
Please accept my sincere sympathy and condolences to you and your family. I have so many happy memories of times shared with you and Carl. God bless!

Marcella McNabb

December 12, 2016

I was so sorry to hear of the passing of this kind and generous man. As a child growing up in Haverford with pets I visited his office on many occasions. Never to busy to answer a young child's question or to take a moment to educate. I will always remember when I got my first dog as an adult. I got him from a puppy mill which, way back then, were not as notorious as they are now. I proudly showed him my new Llasa Apso. He looked at me with a very skeptical look in his eye. I told him I had papers for him. His look grew even more skeptical but he continued with his exam and pronounced my new puppy in good health. As I was leaving he cleared his throat and then said "Don't be surprised if your Llaso Apso gets much bigger than a regular Llaso Apso." Happy to get a clean bill of health for my new puppy I left without giving it too much thought. Then my Barney got bigger and bigger and bigger until at around 6 months he weighed about 40 pounds. I never did learn what breed Barney was but I never forgot Dr. Cousins' discretion at not bursting my bubble. He was a special man who touched a lot of people's lives. I offer my sincere condolences to his family and friends and thank them for sharing him with us.

John Graves

December 12, 2016

My deepest sympathies to your family during your time of bereavement.

John Graves

December 12, 2016

Dr. Cousins was a long time veterinarian for my family(Graves family-Mary E. Graves and John D. Smith Graves. He took care of two of our German Shepard dogs. He was always very kind and friendly. I will keep your family in my prayers.

Theresa Handy Woodard

December 11, 2016

Deepest sympathies . He was an great mentor to so many veterinarians.

Atlas Stokes Robinson

December 10, 2016

You are in my thoughts and prayers.

December 9, 2016

Dear Terri and Family:
With heart felt sympathy. May God bless you and your family during your time of bereavement. Peace and comfort to all.
God Bless
Janet Brown

Michele Lewis-Bell Roberts

December 8, 2016

Dear Terri,
I'm sending my condolences to you and your daughters. May God wrap His arms around all of you during this difficult time. Although, I didn't know Carl long, I will always remember his gentle smile and the picture of the two of you at the Christmas party. He will be greatly missed.

Sheryl Carr

December 8, 2016

I was very sad to hear of the passing of such a great man. Dr Cousins will be missed by everyone who was lucky enough to have known him. May all the great memories we have shared with him bring a smile to our face instead of the tears we are shedding during this difficult time. He will me missed but never forgotten and my prayers and condolences to Althea and his family. He was a great friend and neighbor.

Patricia Dowdy Anderson

December 8, 2016

To The Family of Cousin Carl Cousins
Weeping may endure for the night but joy comes in the morning. We are sorry for your loss. Cousin Carl was a exceptional man. May God bless you and the family and keep you all in his care. Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time. God Bless - Cousin Trisha and family (Daughter of the late Moses and
Pollie Taylor Dowdy)

December 8, 2016

Althea,
May all your beautiful memories sustain you in this time of grief and sadness.
My deepest sympathy,
Fonda Hartman

Vincent Gunter

December 8, 2016

My prayers goes out you Mrs Cousins, Kimberly and Karen! God Bless

Vincent Gunter

December 8, 2016

Kimberly and Karen,

My deepest condolences and prayers goes out to you and your mother for the loss of such an extraordinary man your father was. May God be with you to comfort you,provide you strength, and guide you through this most difficult time. Remember all the good times you shared with your father and remember to breathe. God Bless you all!!

Lynda Brown Bagley

December 8, 2016

Terri, Kim and Karen,
My sincere condolences to you on the loss of
your Husband and Father. Carl was a wonderful
man and he will be greatly missed.
Love and Blessings,

Phillip Mitchell

December 8, 2016

I am lost for words at the passing of my dear brother Dr. Cousins(Uncle Carl). I thank God for you coming into my life and being the role model that we all need. The conversations and the good times that we had, will be cherished forever. My condolences to the family (Aunt Girlfriend) and your daughters. Rest well my friend until will meet again.

Frank & Marjorie James

December 8, 2016

Dear Terri,
Our prayers go out to you & your girls. Carl was our special veterinarian as we moved to Bryn Mawr in the 60's. Then my boys,Scott&Troy, rented the apartment above the Haverford office with Howard Keele in the 1990's. So Carl touched our family with his kindness in many ways. Such a wonderful & respected person. He will be missed!

Donna Derivan

December 6, 2016

Karen,
I am so sorry for your loss. I remember how close you were with your dad when we were in high school. You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers.

Donna Derivan

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