Robert Cowan

Quiet decency, gentle reserve, loyal friend describe Robert Harold. Cowan. He was a good man who cared about people, listened to them and helped them whenever he could.The life that departed us on October 4, 2008 began in Kannapolis, Cabarrus County, North Carolina on April 2, 1928. The only child of Ruth Cowan Perry, Robert spent his childhood in Kannapolis where he was a member of Bethpage Presbyterian Church and later Marable Memorial A.M.E. Zion Church. He completed his formal education at George Washington Carver High School in 1946. Although a long time resident of Baltimore, Maryland, Robert was proud of his Kannapolis, North Carolina roots and returned often to visit family and friends.In the mid 1940’s during the second great black migration, Robert left North Carolina to join his family in Buffalo, NY. He described Buffalo as the “coldest place on earth” and after a few short months, relocated to Baltimore, Maryland. In Baltimore he joined Pennsylvania Avenue A.M.E. Zion Church where he was a faithful member for the remainder of his life. After church one Sunday he met Ruth Ingram. They married on March 30, 1957 and had two lovely daughters Marjorie Lyn and Joan Elise. That union lasted 35 years when Ruth went home to be with God in the spring of 1992.In 1950 during the Korean conflict, Robert entered the United States Army. After active duty and time spent in the reserves he was honorably discharged and returned to civilian life. He had a long successful career as a supervisor with the State of Maryland at the Charles Hickey Training School for Boys. Robert fondly known as “Bob” or “Mr. Bob.” Met many lifelong friends during his military and civilian life.Robert lived a simple productive life. He enjoyed traveling around the country and was proud that he had seen Hawaii three times. Robert truly loved his neighborhood and his home on Winston Avenue. His favorite pastime was sitting on the porch-talking with neighbors, listening to the Orioles on the radio and watching life proceed. He often reminisced about the backyard cookouts, rotating New Eve’s parties and doing the neighborly things like shoveling snow from the blizzards of ’66 and ’79, putting up and taking down awnings, and hanging Christmas lights. The Winston Ave neighbors became family. Our family is truly grateful to the Spruill, Weaver, Cutis, Hill, Thomas, and Bonner, families for enriching his life.Many will remember Robert as a quiet decent man with solid Christian values. He liked nice things; good home cooked food and dressing well, but lived without pretense. His life represents the true measure of a man and he leaves us a legacy of grace, dignity and love.He leaves to cherish his memory: two daughters Marjorie Cowan Rallins and Joan Cowan Jones; four special grandchildren: Jordan Jones, Myles Rallins, Trent Rallins and Jada Jones; sons in law Clifford Rallins and Ulysses Jones; three nieces Dorothy Colette Jackson, Theodoshia Allen and Callie Griffin; devoted companion Mary E. Allen and many cherished friends.

Tributes

Robert Cowan

April 2, 1928 - October 5, 2008