Harrison O. Cowart, Sr.
August 27, 1925 - May 4, 2004

NATCHEZ -- Services for Harrison Orae “Ray” Cowart Sr., 78, of Natchez, who died Tuesday, May 4, 2004, at Natchez Community Hospital, will be at 11 a.m. Friday at Laird Funeral Home Union Street Chapel with Dr. Edgar Wright officiating. Burial will be in the Natchez City Cemetery under the direction of Laird Funeral Home.

Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. today at the funeral home.

Mr. Cowart was born August 27, 1925, in Security, La., the son of Wallace and Bessie Spinks Cowart. He was a veteran of the US Navy in World War II. Mr. Cowart was employed with Armstron Tire and Rubber for many years. He retired from Brown and Root in Houston, Texas. Mr. Cowart was a member of Morgantown Baptist Church.

Mr. Cowart was preceded in death by his father, Wallace Cowart; mother, Bessie S. Stampley; daughter, Peggy W. Jensen.

Survivors include his wife, Velma Rushing Cowart of Natchez; son, Ray Cowart Jr. and wife, Lisa of Houston, Texas; daughter, Sue Whitehead and husband, Raleigh of Mobile, Ala.; stepchildren, Philip L. Smith of Bozeman, Mont., Mike Smith of Dallas, Texas, Jan Hancock of Vidalia, La.; grandchildren, Brian Whitehead, Kelli Whitehead, Chase Cowart, Beau White, Amanda Villerreall, Brad Smith, Dade Smith, Jennifer Golden, Patrick Golden, Mary Katherine Golden; and four great grandchildren.

Pallbearers will be Paul Smith, Oliver Lee, Ted Gray, Herman Eldridge, Charles Rayford Tynes, Johnnie Ratcliff. Honorary Pallbearers will be his grandsons.