June 9, 2025, 56, Goldsboro —
Anthony Scott Cowan, (affectionately known as “Ant” by his family and close friends) gained his heavenly wings on Monday, June 9th, 2025 surrounded by family. Even though we wanted much more time with him while on this earth, the Lord said it’s time to come with Me.
There are a multitude of things that describe Anthony. He was loving, caring, giving, funny and had the biggest heart, especially for his family. He kept God first, family second and the Philadelphia Eagles third! Don’t get him started with his wife and children! Danya won his heart through his stomach. Yes, she made a home cooked meal on one of their first dates and after that he said, she’s a keeper and they went on to be married for 26 beautiful years. Anthony also loved to dote on his children who participated in some of the same sports that he did when he was their age. He was always there to support them in all of their endeavors which kept him and his wife on the road constantly, but it was all worth it. His three oldest children are now college graduates and his youngest will be starting college in the fall.
Anthony’s dedication to family actually started at home. At a young age he selflessly helped to take care of his father when he became ill. He also helped to care for his grandmother and most recently his mother until his illness kept him from being able to do so. It was just naturally in him to want to do for others and he did it with a willing heart. He, in turn, was blessed to have his wife, children and big brothers attend to him during his time of need.
His dedication to the Lord started at a young age and he kept that faithful spirit to the very end. As a member of First African Baptist Church, Anthony had quite the talent of singing. At a young age he was a member of the Sunshine Choir and later became a member of the Goldsboro High School Touring Choir. He would often walk around the house singing while bragging to his children about the fact that not just “anybody” could be in the Touring Choir, you really had to know how to sing!
As the family man that he was, Anthony worked hard on and off the clock as a husband and father to do what he had to do to provide for his family. He worked as a building maintenance technician at the University of Mount Olive and was blessed to work with some of the kindest co-workers there for the past 10 years and what’s so special about this particular job is the fact that not only were his co-workers like family, his sons attended UMO as well and he was able to be there for them whenever they needed him. He carried those maintenance skills home as well, so whenever something needed to be repaired at the house, there he was! He will be sorely missed by his family, friends and co-workers, but “to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord”.
Anthony is survived by his wife, Danya Hinnant Cowan, three sons, Brandon, Jayden and Justin Cowan and his “favorite” daughter, Briannah Cowan. He is also survived by his mother, Mary Lee Cowan, and brothers, Ronnie Cowan Sr., Major Cowan Jr. (Thomasine), and Darryl Cowan Sr. (Latisha). In addition he is survived by his parents-in-law, Bobby and Alice Hinnant, nieces and nephews, Yolanda Cowan, Ronnie Cowan Jr., Antoinette Latrice Francis (Dyrahn), Major Cowan III, Darryl Cowan Jr. (Chela), Jada Cowan and other very special nieces, nephews and great nieces and nephews. There are a host of other special relatives including Marilyn Williams and many aunts, uncles and cousins who are too numerous to mention, who held a “special” place in his heart.
The family kindly requests that instead of sending flowers, any donation amount can be made to support the family with unexpected expenses OR to the American Cancer Society at https://www.cancer.org/ Choose “Give in Honor & Memorial” and dedicate it to Anthony’s memory. Flowers are still welcome if you have already sent them.
Funeral service will be held Friday, June 13, 2025 at 10 a.m. in the chapel of Howell Funeral Home & Crematory in Goldsboro. Burial will follow at Golden Gate Cemetery in Pikeville. The family will greet friends prior to the service from 9 a.m. until 9:45 a.m. at the funeral home.
Professional services entrusted to the care of Howell Funeral Home & Crematory in Goldsboro.
