Mrs. Nancy L Coward

Nancy Fay Leonard Coward, 84, passed away on Monday, December 19, 2022. She was preceded in death by her parents, Virgil and Olivia Leonard of Clinton, MS and brother, Virgil “Buck” M. Leonard, Jr. of Powder Springs, GA.

She is survived by her husband of 57 years, Dr. Lee Harris Coward of Brandon, MS; sons, Thomas “T.C.” Melton Coward (Donna) of Shreveport, LA and Robert “Bobby” William Coward (Susan) of Brandon, MS; and her daughter, Melanie Lee Till (Phillip) of Brandon, MS. She is also survived by 7 grandchildren, 6 great-grandchildren and her beloved canine companion, Jingles.

She was born on January 27, 1938 in Birmingham, AL. She graduated from Woodlawn High School (yes, the one they made the movie “Woodlawn” about) and attended Carson-Newman College in Jefferson City, TN. She was raised in Woodlanwn Baptist Church and attended all the children’s activities: Sunday school, BTV, Sunbeamer, G.A.’s and YWA’s. She joined their first children’s choir at age 12. She gave her life to Jesus and was baptized when she was 9 years old.

She moved to Clinton, MS and joined Morrison Heights Baptist Church in March of 1971. Her delight in serving God was singing in choirs. She sang in Morrison Heights choir for 20 years until she couldn’t sing anymore due to severe asthma. She also worked with children’s choir and VBS.

She helped her husband, Lee, open and run Pineview Animal Hospital for many years. She was a loving, devoted mother and wife.

She received a MIRACLE healing from asthma on October 28, 1997 and received all her strength back at the same time. Many of the family members witnessed the miracle.

She loved reading, baking and decorating cakes and cookies, listening to Southern Gospel, playing with her dog, Jingles, and traveling to the mountains whenever possible.

She loved her Sunday school class- which had kept her name on the roll for over 15 years when she was too sick to attend because of severe depression. She loved coming back on her 81st birthday seeing old friends and making new ones. She especially enjoyed visiting Rachel Browning on Monday mornings with her Sunday school class- thanks Jo Jones who faithfully picked her up and brought her home every week.

She cherished Jesus, her family and her country- in that order.

Her favorite Scripture was Psalm 91.

Visitation will be held at Lakewood Funeral Home on Wednesday, December 21 from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM with the funeral service to follow in the chapel. Interment will be at Lakewood Memorial Park.