YOUNGSTOWN
Rev. Alfred D. Coward, 67, made his transition on Friday, July 10, 2015, at St. Elizabeth Health Center.
Rev. Coward was born Dec. 30, 1947, in Youngstown, Ohio (Mahoning County) a son of Ashley and Thelma Washington Coward.
He was a 1965 graduate of South High School and attended Youngstown State University.
He had been employed at General Motors Lordstown, Ohio as an assembler for 14 years, retiring in 1979.
He was employed at the Mt. Calvary Pentecostal Church, where he served as chief operating officer for over 35 years.
He was a member of the Mt. Calvary Pentecostal Church, where he served as senior undersheperd, supervisor of pastoral affairs, Temple Ministries, superintendent of Sunday school.
He also taught Religion and Black History at Calvary Christian Academy, and taught Leadership and Black History at Legacy Academy for Leaders and the Arts.
He was chairman of the mayor’s task force on crime and violence prevention and vice president of the Civil Service Commission since 2007, appointed by Mayor Jay Williams.
On Aug. 8, 1969, he was united in marriage to the former Verlene Y. Brown, and to this union three children were born.
He leaves his beloved and devoted wife, Verlene; three children, Alfred D. (Nicole) Coward II of Youngstown, Teri J. Coward of Austintown, Ohio and Aaron D. (Veronica) Coward of Boardman, OH; a sister, Brenda Townsend of Tulsa, Oklahoma; nine grandchildren, Kandace Coward, Kamille Coward, Ashley Joseph, Kayla Coward, Courtney Joseph, Gabrielle Joseph, Alfred Coward III, Aarion Coward and Addisyn Coward; and a host of loving family and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents; an aunt and uncle, Naomi and John Carpenter, who reared him; and a sister, Darlene Carter.
Rev. Coward will lie in state on Friday from 2 to 4 p.m. at the Mt. Calvary Pentecostal Church, 1812 Oak Hill Ave.
The family will receive friends Friday from 6 to 8 p.m. at the church.
Visitation will be held on Saturday, July 18, 2015, from 9 to 11 a.m., at the New Bethel Baptist Church, 1507 Hillman St. The family will be present from the 10 to 11 a.m. hour. Funeral services will follow immediately at 11 a.m.
Arrangements have been entrusted to the L.E. Black, Phillips & Holden Funeral Home. - See more at:
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