By Sharon Mager
MT. AIRY, Md.—Donald Milton Cowherd, 84, passed away on August 16, in Mt. Airy, Md., following a long battle with a muscle disease, Idiopathic Myopathy.
He served in many BCM/D churches along with his wife of 65 years, Dolores. Cowherd also ministered as an evangelist, preaching revivals through Maryland, Virginia, Ohio and West Virginia. He was a member of Liberty Baptist Church for 20 years, where he served as prayer coordinator.
He received a bachelor’s degree from Georgetown College, Georgetown, Ky., followed by a degree from Southern Seminary, Louisville, Ky., and a doctorate from Somerset University in England.
In his spare time, he enjoyed watching movies as well as oil painting, cross-stitching, needle arts, and woodworking. In fact, his love of woodworking led him to design and create “PRAY” plaques, and he gave away thousands to friends and others to encourage believers to pray. He also sent the plaques to leaders at the federal, state and local levels and eventually, it became a worldwide ministry.
Cowherd influenced many people, including Baptist Convention of Maryland/Delaware (BCM/D) Consultant for Community Engagement Ellen Udovich. He was her youth minister at Montrose Baptist Church.
“My family began attending Montrose Baptist Church shortly after moving to Rockville from [Maryland’s] lower Eastern Shore. I was starting seventh grade and was moving from a small elementary school and small ‘family’ church into a big middle school and big church. It was a big culture change—I didn’t even know what a ‘youth retreat’ was,” shared Udovich.
“My memory of Mr. Cowherd (which is what we all called him) was that he was kind and took an interest in all the youth, even socially awkward little bookworms like me. He treated me like a person, not like a kid, which made a big impression on me. He had a crazy sense of humor and was always telling jokes, yet his ministry was focused on helping us grow as followers of Christ, not on just having fun (although it was hard not to have fun around him—he was full of joy). He listened with his heart, he taught and applied the Bible in a way I could understand, and really was my first guide on the pathway of Christian discipleship. He laid a good foundation for me, and I will always be grateful!” she said.
Larry Eubanks, senior pastor of First Baptist Church of Frederick, was also at Montrose Church when Cowherd was serving in a ministry position.
“Don was one of the most cheerful and positive persons I have ever known, in spite of the many health problems he dealt with his entire life. He was always kind and gracious to me and supportive when I was a seminary student and a young pastor,” Eubanks said. “His love for the Lord was genuine and he was a true gentleman in every sense of the word. He had a hearty laugh that was heard often. He really liked people, and you always felt accepted when you were in his presence. He suffered a lot in his life, and though I am sad that he is gone, I am glad that his suffering is over and he now has a body that works the way it should.”
Potomac Baptist Association Director of Missions Keith Corrick said, “Don was one of the greatest men of God I’ve ever known. He was without question the greatest prayer warrior I’ve ever known. His prayer ministry of making ‘PRAY’ plaques was amazing and had a widespread effect upon our state and nation. He was a true evangelist, soul winner, and encourager. He glorified God in suffering. He impacted my life and ministry profoundly. I thank my God in all my remembrance of Don Cowherd!”
Lance Metcalf, senior pastor of Liberty Baptist Church, said Cowherd was “an encourager, a prayer warrior, and an evangelist.”
In addition to his wife, Dolores, he is survived by his son Donald, his daughter, Diane, and his sister, Jean Epperson as well as eight grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his son David.
Funeral services will be at Liberty Baptist Church, 1200 Madison St., Lisbon, MD. 21765 on Saturday, August 25. Viewing will be Friday, August 24 from 3-5 p.m. and 7-9 p.m, and Saturday, August 25 from 10-11 a.m. The funeral service will begin at 11 a.m.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to Samaritan’s Purse in Pastor Cowherd’s honor or to a charity of your choice.
Online condolences may be shared with the family through this website: www.molesworthwilliams.com.