Rosa Lee Coward

Life’s race well run, Life’s work well done;

Life’s crown well won, and now she is at rest!

Obituary

Mrs. Rosa Lee McClendon Coward was born to James McClendon and Victoria Bivins McClendon on June 12, 1922 in Jacksonville Florida, where she was the third of four children born to this union. She joined Emanuel Missionary Baptist church after her marriage and remained a member throughout the remainder of her life. She sang in the choir for many years alongside her mother and two sisters. She attended the local schools in her community.

She was united In Holy Matrimony to Walter J. Coward Sr. on May 11, 1940 in Day Springs Baptist Church, Jacksonville, Florida. The ceremony was performed by Reverend Cyrus A. Weaver. They shared a beautiful life together for 59 years.  She took pride in her first and major responsibility as a wife and mother by running and managing her family’s home, and Oh, how she could cook!  Her mother and father (James and Victoria McClendon) resided in the same home with her family until their deaths.

 For approximately 10 years she was an Avon representative where she excelled in product sales and as a result was awarded many bonuses and gift.  For a short period of time she worked as a School Crossing Guard for the Duval County School System.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Walter J. Coward Sr.; parents, James and Victoria McClendon; two sisters; Elouise McClendon Thomas and Julia McClendon Prater and one brother, James McClendon. She departed this life on August 5, 2017 in Lakeside Rehabilitation and Nursing home.

She leaves to cherish her memories 2 loving children; Mr. Walter J. Coward Jr. (Rachelle), and Gwendolyn C. Grice (Jack); five grandchildren, McArthur Canady Jr., Cynthia Canady (Ervin), Frederick Canady, Jackie Grice May (Ernest) and Deonta Bullard (Antonio); Fourteen great grandchildren; 11 great great grandchildren; a goddaughter; two special friends, Mrs. Devaughn and Mrs. Frazier and  a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and many sorrowing relatives and friends.

“And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, either sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be no more pain; for the former things are passed away”

Revelation 21:4

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