Rev. James Cowthran Jr.'s Obituary
Rev. James Cowthran Jr. Obituary
Reflections of Life
James Cowthran Jr. was born in Caspiana, Louisiana on July 3, 1933. He was the ninth child of ten born to Rev. James Cowthran Sr. and Vashti Cowthran.
James joined Mary-Evergreen Baptist Church the 4th Monday in July 1944 and was Baptized at the Mount Pleasant Baptist Church the 2nd Sunday in August by his father the late Rev. James Cowthran Sr.
He served as a member and secretary at Mount Pleasant Missionary Baptist Church after the passing of his father.
Brother Cowthran moved his family to Chicago where he joined the Greater South Shore Baptist Church the 2nd Sunday in September 1962. He served as the Assistant Superintendent of the Sunday school under the leadership of Dr. Richard W. Collins. He joined the Cathedral of Love Missionary Baptist Church in the latter part of 1965. Brother Cowthran served on the Deacon Board. Deacon Cowthran served as the director of the Youth Church and was Department Superintendent of the Youth Sunday School.
Rev. James Cowthran, Jr. preached his trial sermon April 30, 1971, at the Cathedral of Love Missionary Baptist Church. He was ordained to the ministry June 11, 1972, by his Pastor Rev. Calvin S. Flanagan, Sr. Rev. Cowthran was called to the Union Missionary Baptist Church the third Sunday in July 1972 where he was Pastor for over 51 years.
Rev. James Cowthran Jr. graduated from Booker T. Washington, High School, in Shreveport, Louisiana, ranked 18 out of a class of 300. He graduated from Spaulding Business College where he ranked 5th in class of 90 Commercial graduates. Rev. Cowthran specialized in business subjects and graduated from Wiley College in Marshall, Texas with an A.B.A Degree. He also received an A.B.S. in Special Education from Chicago State University. Reverend Cowthran received his Master’s Degree in Library Science at Chicago State University, Chicago, Illinois. He also attended Chicago Baptist Institute. Rev. James Cowthran, Jr. retired from the Hammond, Indiana Public School System after 34 years of teaching.
Rev. James Cowthran, Jr. served in The United States Army-The Korean War. For many years Rev. Cowthran served as President of the Ministers Conference of Robbins, IL. He also was a member of the Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity.
Rev. James Cowthran, Jr. married the love of his life Ms. Bettye Brown of Shreveport, Louisiana and they remained married for over 65 years and to this union two children were born (Jerome and Yolanda).
Rev. James Cowthran, Jr. leaves to cherish his memories and legacy: his wife: Bettye Cowthran; three Children: Jerome Cowthran, Yolanda Cowthran, Orlando Cowthran, Jr.; three Grandchildren: Noah Cowthran, Orlando Cowthran Jr., Thomasjames Cowthran Peebles (TJ), one Great Grandchild: Zaria Peebles; two siblings Dea. Ernest Cowthran, of Shreveport, LA, Mary Cowthran Jackson, of Los Angeles, CA, The Union Missionary Baptist Church Congregation and a host of family, friends and loved ones.
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