Ester Wendell Coward by Jerry Madison Harrison

Life’s Reflections

“Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.”

Revelation 2: 10

EsterWendell Coward was born on July 25, 1941, in Munford Tennessee to the late Mr. Ester B. Coward and Mrs. Lorine Forbes Coward. He was an only child. His parents were godly parents who brought him up in the “nurture and admonition of the Lord.” He accepted Christ and was baptized at an early age at New Salem Baptist Church. He was a member of New Salem for over 75 years. During his youth at New Salem, he was actively involved in youth activities. Later, at New Salem, he was ordained as a deacon. He also served in various other capacities; he served as a Sunday School teacher and superintendent of the Sunday School. Throughout his life, he took every opportunity to learn God’s word. He took classes at various Christian institutes. He attended various seminars and conventions where he also took biblical classes.

His formal education began early in his life when he attended kindergarten at Trinity Christian Methodist Episcopal Church in North Memphis. He was a 1959 graduate of Lester High School. Rev. Coward attended Morehouse College in Atlanta, Georgia. He attended the University of Memphis where he earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration. Rev. Coward attended Mid America Baptist Theological Seminary where he earned the Master of Divinity Degree in the year 2000.

He loved teaching. He loved books. He loved to read. He spent many hours in books, reading, doing research, studying, preparing sermons, and preparing lessons for Bible study. He was a published author. The title of his first book is The Long Road to Now. His second book, That’s Life, was in progress.

A lot of his employment was in the business world. His past employment includes Philip Morris Tobacco Company, Xerox Corporation, Proctor and Gamble, and Waddell and Reed Financial Services. He was also an automobile salesman.

Rev. Coward was an educator. He was an adjunct professor at the Memphis Center for Urban and Theological Studies (MCUTS), Crichton College, and Union University in the Bible and Theology Department. He was a substitute teacher for the Memphis Shelby County School system.

He joined the United States Army in 1961. He served his country and received an honorable discharge.

Rev. Coward met a wonderful and inspiring teacher, a Christian woman. She had recently joined New Salem and was an active member; her name was Carolyn Deener. On June 4, 1983, the two became one, uniting in holy matrimony. To this union, one son was born, Morrio. His two other sons, Kevin and Andre, were from an earlier period in his life.

Rev. Coward acknowledged his calling into the ministry in 1984 at New Salem Baptist Church. He was later ordained under the leadership of Rev. Frank E. Ray, Sr.

In October of 1993, Rev. Coward was elected pastor of Greater Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church, Memphis Tennessee. The church is located in the Hyde Park Community. He served as pastor until his retirement in 2019. Under his leadership, a new sanctuary was built. In August of 2000, the church congregation, along with many friends and well-wishers, journeyed from the original location at 1414 Davis Street to the current location at 2070 Chelsea Avenue. His joy was teaching, reaching, praying, counseling, preaching, mentoring, and dedicating babies back to the Lord, among other joys.

As pastor, he reached out to the community. He opened the doors of Greater Mt. Zion for community meetings. The church served free breakfast every Sunday morning, and the community was invited in. He was a staunch supporter of youth, counseling and mentoring them. The church hosted career day activities, also, free school supply giveaways as well as carnivals.

He, along with Greater Mt. Zion Baptist Church, was a member of the Progressive National Baptist Convention where he served on various committees. He was also a member of the National Baptist Convention. Locally, he was a member of the Memphis Baptist Ministerial Association. He was actively involved in the local Congress, the Greater Memphis Sunday School and Nurture for Baptist Churches Congress, where he served as Dean until his tenure was up. He was also an instructor in the Congress.

Among other outstanding qualities, he was a counselor. He loved helping people. He never met a stranger. He talked to everybody he met. He was there for all of his family members, reaching out, sharing, and helping. He loved talking to his family, friends, and neighbors.

Rev. Coward leaves to cherish his memories a devoted wife of 42 years, Carolyn Deener Coward; three sons: Kevin, Andre, and Morrio (Emily); six grandchildren, Kevin Coward, Jr,. Darius Foster, Keumbra Faulkner, Joshua Golden, Morrio Steven Coward, and Moriah Coward; two great grandchildren: Ky’Ann Bell and Tiquon Bell, Jr.; one brother-in-law, Floyd Deener, one sister-in-law, Charlesetta Harris; “Bonus Children”: Gerald A. Yancy (deceased) and Gail Shaifer, and a host of aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins, and loving friends.

His family also includes the Greater Mt. Zion Church family and the New Salem Church family.

“I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.”

2 Timothy 4: 7,8

Celebration of Life

Prelude

Processional......................................................................................The Family & Ministers

Scripture Reading:

The Old & New Testament.................................................Reverend Tyrone Williams

New Salem M.B. Church

Prayer....................................................................................................Reverend Earl Carter

New Salem M.B. Church

Muscial Selection...........................................................................................................Choir

Expressions & Reflections

(Respectfully, Three Minutes Please)

Deacon Gardie Taylor - Friend (New Salem M.B. Church)

Reverend Dr. Frank Anderson - Classmate

Professor, Ministry & Missions • Union University, Jackson, Tennessee

Reverend Michael Sanders - Student (New Salem M.B. Church)

Minister Morrio Coward - The Family

Ministerial Reflections

Pastor C.J. Bryant - Vollintine Baptist Church

Pastor Jairus Winfrey - Greater Mt. Zion Baptist Church

Words of Comfort................................................................................Pastor Reginald Boyce Riverside Baptist Church

Solo...............................................................................................................Sis. Nesia Taylor

Proclamations & Commemorations

The City of Memphis - Mayor Paul Young

Shelby County - Mayor Lee Harris

U.S. Congress - Congressman Steve Cohen

Veterans Administration - Colonel Nancy Harper

Acknowledgements/Resolution.......................................................................Sis. Mary Smith

Musical Selection...........................................................................................................Choir

Eulogy.....................................................................................Reverend Dr. Frank E. Ray, Sr.

Recessional

Tribute To My Loving Husband

To my wonderful husband, the husband that God gave me, my husband of 42 years!

You have been a strong tower in my life. You have been my supporter, my mentor, my confidant, and most of all the husband that God desired you to be. You have been my dearest and closest friend.

You were a powerful man of God, a powerful Christian man. You instructed the family in the ways of God. We prayed together. We studied the Bible together. We shared words of wisdom with each other.

You were a faithful husband until the end. You were always there for me. You were there for our children and grandchildren. You always provided wise counsel. You kept stability in our family. You were our leaning post.

The years we shared and the life we built together will always be etched in my memory.

I thank you, God, for the gift you gave me as my husband, Rev. E. Wendell Coward.

I know that we will meet again in the land described to us in Revelation 21:4: “…and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.”

Love

Your Wife, Carolyn

herished CMemories

LTributes oving

Dad,

As I sit and reflect on your life and the person I knew, I can’t help but be thankful for a life well lived. Words have power, so you can help shape someone with what you say to them. However, you can truly only model who you are. As I look at my life, I got way more from you than just “the Coward walk”. I patterned so many things after the example that you paved for me. Through your triumphs and your struggles, you always remained the same. You never made me feel like I had to do what you did. You encouraged me to exceed it. Paul said to the Corinthians, “Imitate me and I imitate Christ.” No matter what it was you moved to do, it was always centered around your love and reverence for the Lord. You will forever be remembered for the influence and impact you had on anyone that you came in contact with, both in word and in deed. And that impact is felt by all who remain to reflect on the amazing memories that we share. So farewell Pop; it’s been an honor to be your son. Until we meet again…..

Morrio

There are a few words I don’t use or say daily, and goodbye just happens to be one of those words. There is a bitter taste in my mouth right now and telling my dad goodbye only makes the taste even worse. So, goodbye Dad, you’ll be truly missed by me and the family. Until we meet again Dad RIH

Kevin

Dad,

At 55 years old, I realize just how much of the man I’ve become is because of you. The lessons you taught me, sometimes with words, sometimes just by the way you lived, are still guiding me every single day. You showed me what it means to work hard, to stand on your values, and to take care of the people you love.

I keep thinking about all the moments we shared. The conversations, the laughter, even the quiet times that didn’t seem like much back then but mean everything to me now. You were more than my father… You were my example, my protector, and my steady ground when life felt uncertain.

And Dad, I have to say this; you always thought you were the funniest man in the room… and most of the time, you actually were. Even when your jokes were a little off, you’d laugh so hard at yourself that the rest of us couldn’t help but join in. You had a way of making people feel lighter, even on heavy days.

There are so many things I wish I could say to you one more time, but I hope you knew how much I loved and respected you. I hope you knew how proud I was to be your son.

I’ll carry you with me in everything I do. In the way I live, in the way I love my family, and in the way I face life, just like you taught me.

Rest easy, Dad. I’m sure you’re already up there in Heaven telling jokes and running the place like you always did.

Andre

You were our quiet safe place, our biggest cheerleader, the one who made even the smallest moments feel like something special.

We remember your stories, even the ones you told more than once, because somehow, we never got tired of hearing you.

You taught us more than you probably knew, how to be kind, how to be strong, how to love without needing a reason.

And even now, we still feel you with us in the little things, in shared smiles, in family moments, in the love you left behind.

We wish we had one more hug, one more laugh, one more “I love you” to give.

But we carry you with us forever, Grandpa.

Love, Your Grandchildren

Your Daughter-in-Law, Emily Grandpa,

Pops,

From the very first moment we met, you loved me without hesitation, no questions, just open arms and a place in your heart.

You didn’t just welcome me in; you claimed me as your own, and in that, I found something very rare, a father-in-law who felt like home.

I laugh through the tears thinking about the day you got on me for not asking for help with my homework in my Christian class. That was your way of showing love, steady and intentional, wanting me to grow, to learn, to let me know I could always lean on you.

You cared enough to correct, loved enough to show up, and gave more of yourself than words could ever hold, and I will carry that love with me always.

We, the family of Rev. E. Wendell Coward, are truly grateful for all of the outpouring of love and support you have shown us in the transition of our dear loved one. Your prayers, cards, kind and comforting words, text messages, emails, and many other acts of kindness are greatly appreciated. May God continue to shower his choice blessings upon you. Continue to keep us in your thoughts and prayers. We love all of you.