Samuel Cowart, Sr.

Samuel Ray Cowart Sr was born on August 26, 1943, in St. Louis, Missouri, to Samuel Gibson Cowart and Mabel Jordon. He went to be with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on February 7, 2025, at 2:13 a.m. at Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center in Poplar Bluff, Missouri. At the time of his passing, Sam was 81 years, 5 months, and 12 days old.

He was preceded in death by his mother and father, Samuel Gibson Cowart and Mabel Jordon; his stepmother, Helen Cowart; his brother, Junior St. Cin; his baby brother, Robert Cowart; his sister, Sharon Barnett; and his wife and mother of two sons, Dorothy.

He is survived by his beautiful bride, Pat Cowart, to whom he renewed his wedding vows in January of this year. Likewise, he is also survived by his children: Dusty Cowart and his wife, Cheryl; Tim Cowart and his wife, Pam; Lorrie Sparks and her husband, Greg; Sam Cowart Jr. and his wife, Joni; Michael Cowart; Stacy Jackson; Tracy Dobbins and her husband, Doug; close family friend Keith “Bub” Young, whom he loved like a son; and Taylor Stallings, whom he always viewed as his bonus daughter. He is also survived by his sisters: Brenda Uelasmann, Jeanne Huddleston, and Barbara Rawls. He is further survived by nineteen grandchildren, ten great-grandchildren, and countless friends.

Sam had a love for westerns and was particularly fond of John Wayne. Other interests of his included gardening and tending to his pecan trees, the pecans of which he happily collected and shared with anyone he could. He was well known for his love of fried chicken, especially Kentucky Fried Chicken. He also had a fondness for birdwatching and could often be found sitting outside, enjoying the view of his bird feeders. Furthermore, he loved Bald Eagles and hated Blue Jays.

Aside from his interests, Sam exemplified being a husband and father, doting on his wife, children, and grandchildren as often as he could. He was known for his pestering sense of humor, which was always full of love for the victim of his prankster spirit. He loved his family deeply, as much as a man is able to love his family. Sam lived a life of forgiveness, not only knowing what it meant to be forgiven but also knowing how to forgive others. He was also known for his generosity, being a “give the shirt off his back” kind of man.

Sam was a man of incredible character and love. Words fail to describe the richness of his life and the passion he held for those he loved. His passing is a devastation to all who knew him. He is to be interred at Corning Cemetery.

Visitation will be held Tuesday, February 11, 2025 at 12:00 PM in the Ermert Funeral Home Chapel. Funeral services will begin at 2:00 PM. Burial will follow the services in the Corning Cemetery.