Obituaries

Walter Cowherd passed away on July 13, 2026 in his Louisville home at the age of 74. Funeral service will be 1 pm on Tuesday, July 21, 2026 at Forest Baptist Church, 2600 Petersburg Road with interment in Petersburg/Newburg Cemetery. Visitation will be 5-8 pm Monday also at the church.

Born on March 4,1952 in Louisville, KY to Daisy Summers-Cowherd and Aurther Lee Cowherd Sr., Walter spent his initial years in the California Neighborhood before his family moved to Newburg while he was in elementary school.  It was in his youth that he acquired his childhood/neighborhood nickname “Popcorn”. It was in Newburg that Popcorn established deep, long-lasting relationships with many in the Newburg area. Dear friends like Thomas Hudson, Dwight Sweeney, and “Mozzie” DeWalt became part of his close circle.  In fact, at the tender age of 13, his close friend Dwight Sweeney introduced him to a young Janice Marie Britt who would turn out to be the love of his life who he later married on March 17,1973 and they had 2 children.

Walter graduated from Thomas Jefferson High School where he embraced his passion for music and achieved college credits at Eastern Kentucky University studying music.  Rooted in faith, Walter was baptized as a child at Community Baptist Church. Loyal to his faith in Jesus Christ and driven by his passion in music, Walter dedicated his time and talents to music ministry. He was a vocalist for Keith Hunter and GMWA. He also played the organ and keyboard for Forest Baptist Church, Forest Tabernacle Baptist Church, and Peace Presbyterian Church. He also volunteered his musical gifts and assistance during the creation of the Newburg Youth Community Choir.  And when called upon, he served as a deacon for Forest Baptist Church in the early 2000’s.

Walter always sought after opportunities to be a contribution.  He was always willing to help. From assisting with coaching T-ball and Baseball teams at Newburg Park, to providing assistance and care to the sick and shut in, Walter was always open to lending a hand wherever he saw it could help. He was also a man of great creativity and ingenuity.  If there was ever a need regarding décor for an event, he often surprised others with his creative displays. He once meticulously used fishing lines to make decorations appear to float around the ceiling of a venue. Walter also impressively assisted in creating a fairly realistic stone tomb )with a stone to roll away) with paint and paper products for an Easter Play at Forest Baptist Church.

Walter is preceded in death by his parents; His siblings Aurthur Lee Cowherd Jr., Lamont Cowherd, Belinda Cowherd, Veranetta Cowherd, and Theresa Cowherd.

Walter is lovingly remembered by his wife Janice M. Cowherd; His children Janice D. Cowherd and Kevin Cowherd; His brother & sister-in-law Grand Britt and Mary Britt along with a whole host of nieces, nephews, cousins, family members, and friends not listed but all loved and deeply valued.