Jessie James Cowan was born on March 16, 1953 in Selma, AL, the third son of Ernest and Mary Nelene Cowan. After a productive life, he passed away on November 6, 2021.

Jessie accepted Christ as his Savior at an early age and was baptized at Mt. Ararat Missionary Baptist Church. He continued his strong relationship with the Lord throughout his life.

Jessie graduated from Tipton High School in 1970. He continued his education at William Rufus King Technical College (now Wallace Community College Selma), receiving a certificate in welding. Using these skills, he worked in the construction industry around the country for a few years. He then moved to truck driving, receiving training at Southern State College. Jessie drove trucks for over 47 years, more than 40 of them with his last employer, Bulk Transport Company.

In addition to his love of trucking, Jessie loved sharing his wisdom with his friends and coworkers and the barbers and young men he encountered at local barbershops, especially Magic. He always encouraged them to put academics ahead of sports and to display Christian principles in their actions not just in their words. He could also espouse at length on any subject, anytime, anywhere, whether the listeners wanted to hear him or not.

Jessie had no children of his own but was extremely proud of his nieces and nephews and their offspring. He was preceded in death by his parents and his oldest brother Ernest Jr. He leaves to cherish his memory his loving wife Juarine, his brothers Nehemiah (Carolyn) and Jeremiah, his sisters-in-law Rebecca and Dorothy, his nephews Nehemiah Jr. (Chaqueta), Nicholas (Jessica), Nathan (Callie), Tympson (Keisha), and Jeremiah Jr., his nieces Tameka Cowans-Dales (Robert), Tamela Cowans Ewing (David), and Christen Cowan, his "trucking son" Curtis Johnson (Sophya), and a host of cousins and friends.

Viewing will be held Friday, November 19, 2021 from 4:00 P.M. – 6:00 P.M. at The Good Shepherd Funeral Home.

A Celebration of Life will be held Saturday, November 20, 2021 at 11:00 A.M. at The Word Christian Center                                              1020 County Road 71Thorsby, AL 35171.                                             Pastor Orlando weeks – Pastor/ Officiating.