Arthur Jones Coward, known by most as Art, departed this life on Monday morning, July 1, 2024 from his Mantachie residence. He was 82. Art was born in on November 9, 1941 in Morton, MS to the late Glenwood Coward and Lula Mae Jeffcoat Coward. He grew up in Morton, graduated from Morton High School and furthered his education at East Central Junior College in Decatur where he was a standout center on the football team and was named an All American player. Art continued to enjoy sports especially college football always rooting for the Ole Miss Rebels. He was involved much of his life in the trucking industry as a truck driver and, later, owning his own truck brokerage business. He relocated to Northeast Miss. in 1987. On Aug. 18, 2012, he married Myra Jane Smith Coward. A man with a witty, colorful personality, Art loved the outdoors fishing and hunting earlier in life. Known as one who loved a good time, Art was a longtime member of the Tupelo Hog Roasters and was a 32 degree Mason and Shriner actively involved in supporting the Shriner’s Burn Hospitals. In his latter years, he loved nothing better than being on his front porch watching the world go by.
A service celebrating his life will be held at 4 PM Sunday, July 14, 2024 at the Dorsey Baptist Church with his pastor, Dr. Gary Gray, and former pastor, Bro. Danny Rushing officiating. Visitation will begin at 3 PM and continue until service time at 4 PM. Holland Funeral Directors is honored to serve their friends.
Art is survived by his wife, Myra Jane Smith Coward of Mooreville; his children, Art Coward, Jr. (Nita) of Peppertown, Chris Coward (Tammy) of Mantachie, Matt Johnson (Jordan) of Mantachie, James Johnson (Monyette) of Mantachie, and Jamie Robbins (Larry) of Pontotoc; his grandchildren, Justin Moody, Karrie Coward, James Michael “Buck” Johnson, Hunter Leon Johnson, Olivia Johnson, Kansas Johnson, Bentley Coward, Georgia Phillips, Ethan Hare, Samantha Rose (Pam), Brittany Pace, L. J. Robbins and Gavin Kneisly; numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Glenwood and Lula Mae Coward; 2 children, Anthony Coward and Angie Moody; a grandson, Brandon Coward; his siblings, Billy, Jerry, Bobby and Janelle and by his first wife, Judy Coward.
Memorials may be made to Dorsey Baptist Church, 1919 Hwy 178, Mantachie, MS 38855.
