Robert Edward Cowan Jr.

Robert (Bob) Edward Cowan, Jr., 79, of Meridian, went to be with the Lord on Wednesday, July 3. Visitation will be held Friday, July 5, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Stephens Funeral Home. Services will be held Saturday, July 6, at the funeral home chapel, with Dr. Marcus Finch and Bro. Mike Russell officiating. Burial will be in Forest Lawn Memorial Gardens.

Mr. Cowan was a member of Oak Hill Baptist Church where he served as a deacon for many years and was affectionately known as The Candy Man as he always carried a bag of candy for the children after the Sunday morning service. He was a member of the Lions Club and the Masonic Lodge. He proudly served in the United States Army after high school in the 1950s. He attended cosmetology school, taught hairdressing at the Meridian Beauty Center, and later worked for Michaeline’s Hair Salon. He worked as a traveling salesman for Empress Barber and Beauty Supply for approximately 12 years. In 1972 Mr. Cowan changed occupations and began working for Stephens Funeral Home as a funeral director. In 1985 he decided to go to college, 32 years after graduating from high school. He attended East Mississippi Junior College and earned an Associates degree in mortuary science in 1987. Many people who have trained under Bob have shared how they learned so much from him, things they don’t teach in the classroom. Even after Mr. Cowan’s so-called retirement in 2007, he continued to work part-time at Stephens. He absolutely loved his work. He felt he was able to minister to people during their time of grief. Mr. Cowan’s family’s hearts are warmed by the numerous stories they are told by those he had the privilege to serve.

He is survived by “his girls,” Dawn Brodersen and her husband Steve of Lexington, KY, and BK Huffmaster and her husband Ricky of Tuscaloosa, AL; his grandchildren, Sela and Philip Brodersen of Lexington, KY, and Sarah and John Huffmaster of Tuscaloosa, AL, and Ashley Huffmaster of Foley, AL. He is also survived by two step daughters, Annette Johnson and her husband Greg of Memphis, TN, and Dawn Brand of Lake Charles, LA;; three step grandchildren, Kathryn and Ryan Johnson of Memphis, TN, and Lakeyn Brand of Lake Charles, LA; a special “son” Dan Moody of Center Hill; one sister, Martha Claire Singletary of Meridian; and his very special friend and companion Mary Elois Godeaux of Meridian.

Mr. Cowan was preceded in death by his parents, Robert Edward Cowan, Sr. and Ruby Miller Cowan; a sister Inez Harper; his wife of 41 years, Sara Evans Cowan; and his wife Louise Brand Cowan.

Pallbearers will be Ronnie Slay, Charlie Smith, Lynwood Clayton, Milton Pace, Irvin Martin, and Dietmar Goetz. Honorary pallbearers are the Mens III Sunday School class of Oak Hill Baptist Church.