Jesse Allen Cowart Sr.

Jesse is survived by his wife of 62 years, Muriel Faler Cowart and their seven children, Ronald and Robin Cowart of Rustburg, Karen and Edward Taylor of Bedford, Leonard (Butch) and Carolyn Cowart of Altavista, Marian G. Lemons of Reidsville, NC, Jesse A., Jr. and Judy Cowart of Gladys, Sean Cowart and lifemate Todd Gunderson of Raleigh, NC, and Shannon M. Cowart and lifemate C.J. Jenkins of Greensboro, NC. Jesse was “Papa” to 16 grandchildren, 32 great-grandchildren, 1 great-great-grandchild and 2 very special kitties – K-Kat and Mollie.

Jesse was preceded in death by a sister, Marjorie N. Stanley and a brother, Earl T. Cowart. He is survived by 5 brothers and their wives, Leonard and Nancy of Rustburg, Louis and Nancy of GA, Larry and Carolyn of Rustburg, Roger and Barbara of Amherst, Dennis and Pam of Rustburg and a special sister-in-law, Mrs. Earl (Nancy) Cowart.

Jesse went into the service in the USAF one week after graduating high school and served his country for 6 years. After retiring from the USAF, he started selling insurance and continued to advance until he started his own insurance agency that he operated with his son Jesse, Jr., his granddaughter, Julie Blakely and his dedicated secretary Tammy Zimmerman in Greensboro, NC.

Jesse had many loves, the first being his faith in God and then his family. He was an avid horse lover and is the current president of the Colorado Ranger Horse Association (CRHA) and a member of Appaloosa Horse Association and a breeder of the 2 types of horses.

Jesse loved sports of all types but baseball was his #1 sport. He loved to play baseball and did so as a child, a teen, in service for the Airforce Base Team and after returning home from service, played on the county leagues. Once his children became old enough to play, Jesse started coaching little league, which he did for 5 years in Fairfax, VA and then his job kept him on the road. He still took every chance he could to watch his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren play baseball or softball.

Jesse was a Mason and a member of the Masonic Lodge #69 AF and AM. Jesse will be missed by his family and friends, but they all know he is safe in God’s hands.

A funeral service will be conducted, 1:00 p.m.., Thursday, March 10, 2011, at Diamond Hill Presbyterian Church on Mollie’s Creek Road in Gladys with the Rev. Susie Atkinson and Rev. Sam Caldwell officiating. Interment will follow at Cumbie Memorial Cemetery in Rustburg, where the Masonic Lodge #69 AF and AM will present Masonic Rites and the American Legion Post 16 will present Military Honors.

The family will receive friends, 6-8 p.m., Wednesday, March 9, 2011, at Whitten Timberlake Chapel and at other times at the residence.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Diamond Hill Presbyterian Church, 1090 Mollie's Creek Rd., Gladys, VA, 24554.

To send condolences to the family, please visit www.whittenfuneralhome.com.

Whitten Funeral Homes and Cremation Services, Timberlake Chapel is serving the family.