Ervin Liston Coward, Jr, 89, went to be with his Lord & Savior Jesus Christ on Saturday, December 27, 2025.
Born in Floyd Dale, SC, October 2, 1936, he was the son of the late Ervin Liston Coward and Loney T. Coward.
He was a dedicated church member of First Baptist Church where he was a Sunday School teacher and served on many committees. Ervin proudly served his country in the US ARMY for 20 years. Having served faithfully and honorably, he retired in January of 1976 with the rank of Sergeant First Class (SCF E7). He was decorated with the following medals: National Defense Service Medal Army Commendation Medal and Good Conduct Medal. After retiring, he operated a small country store for over two decades, farmed and managed his rental property. He was an avid gardener who enjoyed fishing and he never ran from hard work. He will be remembered as a loving husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, brother and friend.
Survivors include his wife of 70 years, Shelby Jean Coward, a sister Annie Owens, three daughters: Wanda Griffin (Paul) of Murrells Inlet, SC, Sheryl Page (Perry) of Fork, SC, and Sandra Stephenson (Kenny) of Dillon; Grandchildren, Amanda White (Bradley), of Florence SC, Brad Page (Danyell), Christopher Stephenson and Jamie Kinsey (Sam) all of Dillon SC; Great Grandchildren: Cole, Payton, Page, Kinsley, Riley, Emery, Avery and Carley all of Dillon.
Mr. Coward was preceded in death by his parents Ervin and Loney Coward, brother Boyd Monroe Coward, Billy Coward, sisters Mildred Moore and Mamie Palmqueist.
Funeral services are planned for 3:00 PM, Monday, December 29, 2025 at First Baptist Church in Dillon. The family will greet friends and family from 2:00-3:00 PM prior to the service in the church fellowship hall.
Memorials may be made to Dillon Camp of Gideons, P. O. Box 111, Dillon, SC 29536 or First Baptist Church of Dillon, 400 North $th Ave., Dillon, SC 29536.
Special thanks to Shannon Sawyer Carter of Agape Hospice and McLeod Hospice House in Florence, SC.
You may sign the online guestbook at www.kannadayfuneralhome.com
