Barbara Cowart

Mrs. Barbara Story Sheppard Cowart, age 87, of Heards Bridge Road in Washington County, passed away Saturday, November 6, 2021 in Wrightsville Manor Nursing home following an extended illness.  A funeral service to celebrate her life will be held on Tuesday, November 9 ^th , 2021 at 11:00 a.m. at Josey Baptist Church on Heards Bridge Road, with burial in the church cemetery.    Reverend Brant Kennedy will officiate. Pallbearers will be Patrick Mock, Robert Cason, Justin Huth, William Bowles Jr., Tony Fulwood III, Donnie Huth, Travis Green, B.J. Thompson, Matthew Green and Luke Ezell. The family will receive friends from 10:00 a.m. until the hour of service at the church.

Mrs. Cowart was born and raised in Jefferson County, the daughter of the late Harrison Story Sr. and the late Ethel Faglier Story. She grew up near Louisville, walking to school across the steel bridge.  Mrs. Cowart married early in life to her first husband Ralph Everett Sheppard. She became a homemaker and began raising what was to be a large family. Following the death of her first husband, she married Cleveland Cowart. She was a longtime and active member of Josey Baptist Church.  Later in life, Mrs. Cowart worked several jobs including, the peach farm, Lewis' Lake, Delilah’s Curtain Manufacturers, and lastly as a personal caregiver.  Her greatest joy in life was being with her family, which she considered her biggest blessing.  In addition to her parents, Mrs. Cowart is predeceased by her son Danny Sheppard; grandson, Corey Thomas Cowart; and siblings.

Survivors include, her children, Sandra Ruth S. Waters (Wayne) of Davisboro, Everett Ralph Sheppard (Connie) of Harrison, Brenda Nell S. Cowart (Joel) of Wadley, Debbie Lue S. Wilcher (Ronnie) of Riddleville, Bobby Ralph Sheppard (Dianne) of Davisboro, Peggy Ann C. Davis (Tommy) and Thomas Cleveland Cowart all of Riddleville; 10 grandchildren; 21 great grandchildren; and siblings, Virginia S. Utley of Burke, Co., Wayne Story (Sandra) of Bartow and Patricia S. Hadden (Gene) of Louisville.

Donations may be made to Josey Baptist Church or to the Alzheimer Association in memory of Mrs. Cowart.

May and Smith Funeral Directors is in charge of these arrangements.   Condolences may be made online at www.mayandsmithfuneraldirectors.com