Hilda Shuman Cowart passed away peacefully on Sunday, September 11th, 2022, at 81 years young. She is preceded by her beloved husband, U.S. Army Sergeant Major Julian Earl Cowart; her parents, Dowdy Earl Shuman and Lucille Carpenter Shuman; and Julian “Earl’s” parents, Roy Nathaniel Cowart and Pearl Cowart; and most recently, her life-long favorite aunt, Erma Eddy.
Hilda is survived and celebrated by her loving family: Her siblings, Melvin Shuman and Wayman Shuman (Kay Shuman); her children, Connie Cowart Wimmer (Joey NeSmith), Ricky Allen Cowart (Kathleen Cowart), Robin Cowart Myrick (David Myrick); her grandchildren, Brooke Mckenzie Cowart, Taylor Julianne Cowart, Lindsey O’Neil Collins, Heather Davis (Daniel Davis); and many nieces, nephews, grandchildren and great grandchildren whom all love her dearly.
Hilda was born and raised in Bulloch County, specifically in the Pig Eye community. Growing up on her family farm, she herded cattle, picked cotton, tobacco and veggies. However, she also spent a great amount of time fighting with her brothers because she was the only girl. One could say that’s where her strength began to grow into the amazing wife, mother, sister, and friend we all know and remember her as today. She attended Southeast Bulloch High School where she played basketball and fell in love with her boyfriend, Earl. She graduated from SEB and married her highschool sweetheart in 1959.
She became a Military Wife the following year when Earl enlisted into the U.S. Army. He was deployed to Germany and as a proud and supportive military wife, the family moved overseas with him in the summer of1973. While in Germany, Hilda was so much more than a wife and mother. She coached basketball as well as cheerleading. She even handsewed the cheer team’s uniforms. She served as President of the Non-Commission Officers (NCO) during Earl’s deployment. AND she was a member of the winning Baumholder Women's Bowling League in Germany.
She loved telling stories of growing up on the family farm and took great pride in working on the farm and being able to pass it down to her children. Hilda enjoyed camping, Nascar, gardening, “Margarita Mondays,” and the beach. But when it came to Georgia Southern football, make no mistake, she was, and still is, their biggest fan. She loved GSU tailgating with friends and family and cheering on her “Boys in Blue.
Hilda found out that she had a brain tumor at the beginning of the COVID pandemic. She underwent surgery, recovered and never missed a beat. Amazing, loving, compassionate, strong, warrior, hero. . . she was all of that. But for those that knew her know that these words only scratch the surface of who Hilda Shuman Cowart was. As she enters into the gates of Heaven, she is now at peace and free. And right next to God is her high school sweetheart, her one true love, the only man that captured her heart here on earth, Earl.
Soar high with the Eagles . . . until we meet again.
Visitation will be held at Deal Funeral Directors on Friday, September 16th from 9:00am to 11:00am, the service will begin at 11:00am in the Chapel, followed by graveside memorial service at Bulloch Memorial Gardens.
Please send flowers to: Deal Funeral Directors (22757 US-80, Statesboro, GA 30461).
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