A Celebration of Life Service for Dr. Raymond Pierce Cowan was held Sunday, July 24, at the chapel of First Baptist Church of Gainesville. A private entombment was held at the columbarium of First Baptist Church of Gainesville.
"That we ought not to be weary of doing little things for the love of God, who regards not the greatness of the work, but the love with which it is performed."
"Let us make way for grace; let us redeem the lost time, for perhaps we have but little left. Death follows us close; let us be well prepared for it."
The Practice of the Presence of God, Brother Lawrence
So was the life of Raymond Pierce Cowan, who was ushered into the presence of God July 20, 2022.
Born April 2, 1937, into the Manchester home of minister and wife, the Rev. Emory Pierce and Ethel Mae Cowan, he had 11 siblings. His parents, one sister, seven half-sisters, and three half-brothers preceded him in death.
Since early childhood, Raymond dedicated his time and resources to serving Christ. Dr. Cowan graduated in 1955 from Tucker High School and from Trevecca Nazarene University in 1961.
After college graduation, he married Naomi Ruth Shannon Aug. 18, 1961, and then continued his education in Kansas City, Missouri with a Master of Divinity degree from Nazarene Theological Seminary, a Master of Arts degree from Emory University, and a Doctorate of Philosophy degree from Georgia State University. He was an active member of the American History Association and the Georgia History Association.
Raymond's lifelong photography hobby has provided countless memories of special family events, Christmas celebrations, and travel experiences. Raymond was an avid writer. His Biblical scholarship was shared in the Sunday school lessons that were personally written and shared with class members. He has several unpublished essays and an unpublished manuscript of the Old Testament for the new Christian. He was a member of First Baptist Church of Gainesville where he enjoyed recording music from the sanctuary and sharing the CDs with all who shared his love of music.
He is survived by his wife, Naomi Ruth Shannon Cowan; two daughters, Cynthia Renee Gottlieb of Lawrenceville and Jennifer Ranelle Petitt of Fredericksburg, Virginia; a sister, Betty LaNelle Stiles of Abilene, Texas; four grandsons, Andrew Gottlieb of Greenville, South Carolina, Aaron Petitt of Madison, Wisconsin, Caleb Petitt of Fairfax, Virginia, and Matthew Petitt of Norfolk, Virginia; as well as several nephews and nieces.
The family wishes to extend love and gratitude to the caregivers of the Lakes of Gainesville, the nurses, aides and staff of The Golden Rule Hospice, and the host of Christian friends at First Baptist Church of Gainesville. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the music program of First Baptist Church of Gainesville.
Arrangements were entrusted to Whitfield Funeral Homes & Crematory, South Chapel, Baldwin.