Darwyn Cozart

Tupelo - Darwyn “Pops” Ray Cozart, 81, surrounded by his family, passed away Monday, February 25, 2019 at North Mississippi Medical Center. A Coffeeville native, he was born October 6, 1937 to Howard Ray and Tessie Mae Parker Cozart. Darwyn grew up in Tupelo and was a 1955 graduate of Tupelo High School. He also attended Itawamba Community College and Memphis State University. He was married to his high school sweetheart, Nita Williams, and they shared sixty-one years together. Darwyn proudly served in the Mississippi Army National Guard for eight years. For most of his working life, he was employed with the United States Postal Service where he retired as Manager of Postal Operations of the Northern District of Mississippi after forty years of service. Darwyn was a devoted husband, father and grandfather. A man of tremendous faith, he served as Deacon at Harrisburg Baptist Church and had a passion for sharing his faith in God.  He taught Sunday school for a number of years and remained actively involved in the Faith Ministry Program, a visitation ministry at Harrisburg which he especially loved. Darwyn enjoyed playing golf and beekeeping. He was a Master Gardener who enjoyed growing vegetables, especially tomatoes. During his son's scouting years he served as Assistant Scout Master for Troop 12. He was a longtime member of Harrisburg Baptist Church since 1965, and traveling to the Holy Land on two separate occasions with his church family was a favorite past time of his.

Survivors include his wife of 61 years, Nita Cozart; daughter, Julie Repult and her husband, Mac of Tupelo; son, Terryl Cozart and his wife, Lisa of Tupelo; six grandchildren, Austin, Tyler, April, Parker and Connor Cozart, all of Tupelo and Will Repult of Tupelo; sisters, Pat Bristow, Sue Teems (Terry Winter) and Jo Church, all of Tupelo; brother, Steve Cozart of Tupelo; and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Howard and Tessie Cozart; sister, Betty Bristow Renshaw; and brother, Gerald Cozart.

Visitation will be from 5 until 8 p.m. Thursday, February 28, 2019 at Harrisburg Baptist Church.

Services honoring his life will be 11 a.m. Friday, March 1, 2019 at Harrisburg Baptist Church with Dr. Forrest Sheffield and Rev. Rob Armstrong officiating. Graveside services will follow in Tupelo Memorial Park. W.E. Pegues is in charge of the arrangements.

Pallbearers will be Austin Cozart, Tyler Cozart, Will Repult, Chris Hester, Charlie Estes and Buddy Davis.

Honorary pallbearers will be members of the Aldy Sunday School Class.

Memorials may be made to Harrisburg Seminary Scholarship Fund c/o Harrisburg Baptist Church, 4675 Cliff Gookin Blvd, Tupelo, MS 38801.

Expressions of sympathy may be left at www.peguesfuneralhome.com .