Charles C. Cowsert, Jr., a Presbyterian (USA) minister, age 102, died peacefully on August 23, 2018 at Sunnyside Presbyterian Retirement Community, Harrisonburg, VA. Preceded (2003) in death by his wife of 60 years, Ann McCorkle Cowsert, he is survived by his daughter, Karen Pryor (Don) of Rochester, NY and his son, Charles C. Cowsert, III (Susan) of Fredericksburg, VA, five grandchildren and eight great grandchildren, including one Charles C. Cowsert V. His legacy reflects a life-long commitment to his Christian faith, family and friends, stewardship, church union and world peace.
Born in Columbia, TN to Charles Crump and Kathryn King Cowsert, he graduated from Columbia High School; King College, Bristol, TN; and Union Theological Seminary, Richmond, VA. In 1956, he received an Honorary Doctor of Divinity degree from King College.
Dr. Cowsert had a distinguished career in the Presbyterian Church....serving first as pastor of Front Royal Presbyterian Church, VA; then as a WWII Army chaplain in the Battle of the Bulge; developed and grew the Fairlington (VA) Presbyterian Church from a few individuals meeting in a movie theatre to a 900-member congregation; moving on to become Executive Secretary of Winchester Presbytery, and hold several denominational offices in the PCUS: Secretary of Stewardship, Associate Director & Treasurer of the Presbyterian Foundation, and Executive Secretary of the Board of Annuities & Relief.
Dr. Cowsert spent his final 25 years in the Sunnyside Presbyterian Retirement Community, where he had many friends and fond relationships with the caring staff.
A worship service in gratitude for his life and ministry will be in Sunnyside’s Meredith Chapel at 3:00 PM on Saturday, September 8. A family burial will take place at Thornrose Cemetery, Staunton, VA. Cremation arrangements are made by Lindsey Funeral Home, www.lindseyharrisonburg.com.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Sunnyside Fellowship Fund, Sunnyside Presbyterian Homes, 600 University Blvd, Suite L, Harrisonburg, VA 22801; or the Charles C. & and Ann McCorkle Cowsert Endowment, Massanetta Springs Camp & Conference Center, 712 Massanetta Springs Rd, Harrisonburg, VA 22801.
