Evelyn Rogers Coward

Evelyn -- known to her family and friends as Lynn -- was born in Lyons, Georgia, on Jul 28, 1931, and was the youngest child of Ellen Harden Rogers and John Rogers. She spent several years of her childhood in the Gould Cottage orphanage in Savannah before being raised by her aunt Winnifred Tapley and later by her cousin Ernest Tapley and his wife Esther and by her uncle Mallie Harden. After graduating from Savannah High School in 1949, she worked as a switchboard operator for the Bell Telephone Company in Savannah, later moving to Atlanta to work for the Otis Elevator Company before marrying Vernon Coward in 1955, She and Vernon moved from Atlanta to Marietta to start a family and had three children — Diane, Susan, and Michael. She later worked for several years for Rich's Department Stores in the 1970s. She remained a resident of East Cobb for the rest of her life and passed away in her home surrounded by her family.

Lynn was an avid reader who had a passion to learn, and her most prized possessions were her books. Her interests ranged from mathematics to architecture to scientific discoveries but she had a special passion for history, driven in large-part by her deep-rooted Biblical faith. Lynn was equally at home discoursing on the implications of the writings of Flavius Josephus for interpreting the Book of Revelation as she was on the political machinations that led to World War II and the Cold War and she could recall details of what she had read with amazing accuracy and clarity. Possessing a keen eye for interior design, Lynn also had a deep appreciation for fine art and passed that creative eye on to her children. She especially enjoyed classical music, being particularly fond of the compositions of Vivaldi, Bizet, Korsakov, Wagner, Mozart, and Rodrigo.

Lynn's zeal for learning was exceeded only her devotion to the LORD and to her family. She selflessly worked to ensure that her children had the opportunities she did not for formal learning and professional careers. She was a gifted self-taught cook who especially enjoyed preparing Italian dishes.

Known for her quick wit and wonderful sense of humor but especially for encouraging others, Evelyn brought joy to family and friends throughout her life.

She is survived by her daughters, Diane Elizabeth Karagianis (Mark) and Susan Jane Coward; her son, Michael Alan Coward (Abigail); her grandchildren, Lauren Elizabeth (Murdock) West and Jasmine Nicole (Murdock) Radpour; and her great-grandchildren, Isla Ashley West and Hazel Lin West. She also leaves behind many cherished relatives and friends who will miss her dearly.

Family and friends are invited to gather in celebration of Evelyn's life on Saturday, June 20, 2026, from 10:00 a.m. until 12:00 noon at HM Patterson & Son Canton Hill Funeral Home. Following the visitation, a procession will depart for a graveside service at Cheatham Hill Memorial Park Cemetery in Marietta, Georgia, at 1:00 p.m