Obituary: Mary Eva Cossar King
Mary Eva Cossar King, a cherished soul and devoted family member, was born on January 25, 1940, in Hardeman County, Tennessee, and passed away on Friday, September 12, 2025, at the Wellstar Paulding Medical Center in Hiram, Georgia. She leaves behind a legacy that is painted with love, resilience, and artistry.
Mary Eva devoted a significant portion of her life to a fulfilling career, having retired from clerical work with HCA in Nashville, where her diligent spirit and meticulous attention to detail made a positive impact. For a brief period, she also embraced her passion for history and elegance while working in an antique shop. Yet, it was her creative pursuits that truly defined her; she was an avid crafter who relished in the delicate art of crocheting and the joyous pastime of coloring on her iPad—activities through which she expressed her vibrant spirit and creativity.
In 1995, Mary Eva faced a formidable adversary when diagnosed with breast cancer, yet she met this challenge with undaunted courage and tenacity, defying the grim prognosis given at that time. Later, she triumphantly emerged as a survivor of bladder cancer as well, embodying strength that inspired all who knew her.
A Baptist by faith, Mary Eva nurtured a deep spiritual connection, drawing upon her beliefs throughout her life’s journey. She primarily resided in the Nashville area until moving to Georgia approximately eight years ago, allowing her to foster new relationships while maintaining the heartfelt bonds she cherished throughout her life.
Mary Eva’s family, which includes her beloved son, Herman Eugene “Butch” King (Cathy) of Delaware, and her devoted daughter, Cindy King Dawson (Allen) of Marietta, Georgia, along with her cherished grandson, Taylor Andrew Dawson, will carry forward the memories of her warmth, strength, and creativity.
She now rejoins her parents, Herman Taylor Cossar and Evie Gatewood Cossar, along with her siblings, Virginia Doyle, Margaret Mayfield, Inez Baker, Shirley Lowrance, and her brothers, W.C. and Billy Cossar, as well as her dear husband, Eugene King, creating a reunion that brings peace to those she left behind.
Mary Eva Cossar King’s remarkable journey through life serves as a testament to the power of love, creativity, and enduring strength. Her memory will remain immortalized in the hearts of her family and friends, who embody the values she held dear. She will be profoundly missed but forever remembered.
Services will be at Shackelford Funeral Directors Bolivar chapel on Monday, September 22, 2025, at 11 a.m. with Mickey Cossar officiating. The legacy of Mary Eva Cossar King will undoubtedly continue to inspire and uplift all those fortunate enough to have known her. Memorial contributions in her name may be sent to the National Breast Cancer Foundation, Inc.
Courtesy of Shackelford Funeral Directors, Bolivar, Tennessee.
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