James Earl Coward

1936 - 2024

James Earl Coward GREENVILLE - James Earl Coward, 87, went home to be with the Lord Friday, February 23, 2024. Funeral services will be held Sunday, March 3, 2024 at 2:00 PM at Unity Church, officiated by his pastor, Dr. Jeff Manning. Burial will follow at Homestead Memorial Gardens. The family will receive friends Saturday from 5 until 7 PM at Wilkerson Funeral Home. James, son of the late Marvin Felix and Mamie McLawhorn Coward, was a native of Pitt County. He lived his early life in the Ayden community and was a 1955 graduate of Ayden High School. He had made his home near McGowan's Crossroads for almost 50 years. He was employed in furniture sales for a number of years and later went to work as a salesman for Home Builders Supply, retiring in 2004 after 35 years of service. James loved the Lord Jesus Christ and studied his Bible daily. He served the Lord by teaching Sunday School for many years, also serving as both deacon and elder at Maranatha Free Will Baptist Church and Tranter's Creek Church of Christ. For the past eight years he had been a member of Unity Church. He loved listening to gospel music and messages when he was unable to attend church. In addition to his parents, Mr. Coward was preceded in death by brother, Marvin F. Coward, Jr., and sisters, Jeanette Coward Randall and Ruby Faye Coward. He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Sylvia Carroll Coward; twin sons, James Floyd Coward, of the home, and Jerry Lloyd Coward and wife, Grayson, of Greenville; daughters, J. Denise Coward of Cary and Debra Coward Reel and husband, Mike, of Greenville; grandchildren, Bryan Coward (Kristen), Maria Coward, Chelsea Reel, Hunter Lilley-Coward (Corey), Victoria Coward, Jordan Lilley-Coward, and Kaitlyn Reel; great grandchildren, Jaxon, Carson, Miller, Peyton, Oakley, and Vivian; four fur babies, Blackie, Duke, Lucy, and Sweetie Pie. Flowers are welcome or memorial contributions may be made to Unity Church, 4301 Charles Blvd., Greenville, NC 27858. Online condolences at www.wilkersonfuneralhome.com