Dennis Deloyce Cowart Services for Dennis Deloyce Cowart will be held on Tuesday, February 28, 2012, at 2:00 p.m., at Robert Barham Family Funeral Home Chapel with Dr. Raymon Leake, Dr. Carl White, and Reverend Jon Martin officiating. Burial will be in Forest Lawn Cemetery with Robert Barham Family Funeral Home in charge of arrangements. Mr. Cowart, age 89, of Meridian, died Friday, February 24, 2012 at Regency Hospital. Mr. Cowart was a resident of Meridian since 1989, when he and his wife, Leola, moved from Jackson, MS. Dennis was born August 15, 1922, near Phil Campbell, AL. He served in the U.S. Army, 199th Field Artillery, European Theatre, in W.W. II. After discharge from the military service, he moved to Jackson where he met and married Leola Knight of Tremont, MS. He attended Hinds Junior College. He was a cattle and tree farmer, and was employed for 28 years with the USDA Soil Conservation Service. He was a faithful child of God, lifelong deacon, and was a member of First Baptist Church and Highland Baptist Church of Meridian. He loved his Lord, his family, his country, and the land. He enjoyed gardening and all things outdoors. His genuineness as a Christian and a friend was apparent to all who knew him. Survivors include his wife of 65 years, Leola Knight Cowart of Meridian; daughter, Dr. Mary Ann Cowart Wilkerson and husband, Joe of Meridian; two grandchildren, Dr. Ben Wilkerson and wife, Kelly of Covington, LA, and Dr. Shelley Wilkerson Ellis and husband, Todd of Meridian; sisters, Edith Kincaid and husband, Dave of Valparaiso, IN, Genettie Ray of Dyersburg,TN, Ollie Hopkins of Newbern, TN, and Shirley Autry and husband, Tommy of Newbern, TN; brother George Cowart of Springville, TN; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, George and Jessie Cowart; sisters Estelle Griffin and Mozelle Pope; and brothers Charles Cowart and Bill Cowart. Pallbearers will be Todd Ellis, David Autry, Wayne Nail, Chuck Burk, Mark Pope, James Pope, Greg Donaldson, and Tilton Prater. Honorary pallbearers will be Lamar Smith Sunday School Class of Highland Baptist Church. Family and friends may sign online guestbook at robertbarhamffh.com. Visitation will be held Tuesday, February 28, 2012, from 12:30 p.m. until 2:00 p.m., at Robert Barham Family Funeral Home.
