Robert David Cousins

On August 14, 2025,  Robert David Cousins went home to be with his Lord and Savior.

Visitation will be held at Taylor Funeral Home located in Timpson, Texas on Sunday, August 17, 2025 from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m.

Funeral Services will be held at Garrison First Baptist Church on Monday, August 18, 2025 at 2:00 p.m. with interment to follow at Martinsville Cemetery.   

He was born on December 3, 1945 in Kountze, Texas to parents, Weldon and Francis Cousins.  He graduated from San Augustine High School in 1964.  He started college at Stephen F. Austin State University where he met the love of his life, Sheila Sue Fancher.  With just one look, they immediately fell head over heels for each other!  Robert was drafted into the United States Marine Corp in 1966 to serve in Vietnam for two tours and returned to Nacogdoches in 1968 to complete his college career at Stephen F. Austin State University.  Robert and Sheila were married on December 20th, 1968 and shared a wonderful marriage of 56 years. 

With the birth of his precious girls, Kristin and Rebecca, Robert fully embodied the definition of a “girl dad” with his parenting being full of love, care, and true presence with a willingness to always be there throughout their lives. He was a father who loved his girls more than anything.    Robert’s devotion to Sheila and his girls was the perfect example of unconditional love.

As a follower of Christ, Robert’s servant heart and love for others was clear, especially when it came to his family. He was the most patient, loving, and wise grandfather and recently became a great grandfather. There was nothing he wouldn’t do for those he loved, and he made sure they knew it.

Robert was instilled with the values of integrity, loyalty, and true grit. He was a Christian, a teacher, mentor, friend, and giver of his time, knowledge and care. He always sought knowledge  and was a lover of learning.  He had a knack for fixing anything and enjoyed being a steward of the land and cattle that he loved so dearly. Robert had an unlimited amount of tenacity and willpower and was never known as someone to give up easily. He served as a Marine in the 2nd Battalion, 9th Marine, 3rd Division as a Corporal – Radio Operator in Vietnam and earned the National Defense Service Metal, Vietnam Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal with Device, and a Presidential Unit Citation as a United States Marine.  He took his time as a Marine as a calling of service not only to his country but to his fellow men in arms.  He once said his fondest memory in the Marine Corp was that he “respected the closeness that all of us had for each other, and the fact that we were willing to risk our lives to save other people, and we all fought as one.” 

In 1994, Robert entered a new phase of life with his first-born grandchild.  All four of his grandchildren gave him a great sense of pride.  Always teaching, pouring knowledge into the grandchildren and sharing the importance of education not only from books but the Good Book as well.  In July and August of 2024, he was thrilled to welcome two great-grandchildren.  Robert knew he had a family that loved him dearly and we have clung to every piece of advice and words of encouragement he ever shared.  Robert spoke with intention and love, so there was never any doubt about how proud he was of each child, grandchild, and great-grandchild.

Robert had a keen ability to connect with anyone and share his zest for life, all while emulating the love and kindness of Christ. He served joyfully as a Deacon of First Baptist Church Timpson being ordained in 1980 and continued to serve as a deacon at Martinsville Baptist Church and First Baptist Church of Garrison. His heart for nurturing and serving others went beyond his time leading worship, teaching Sunday school, singing specials and being a loyal member of the choir. For over 10 years, he led Sunday School along with Kristin playing piano to sing hymns at Garrison Nursing Home.  He took pride in giving not only his time but his ability to share what the Lord had laid on his heart for the lesson each and every Sunday. 

Robert’s passion for teaching and love for others was most evident in the hallways of Timpson High School. He was a beloved Agriculture Science teacher for 26 years and High School Principal for eight years. After retirement, he continued his love for agriculture by building broiler houses and working cows. He loved to wake up with the sun and start his day with a good cup of coffee. From feeding cows, baling hay, fixing fence, to just sitting on the porch petting his dogs, Robert found joy in all facets of life. Intentional and meaningful tasks made his retirement days joyful and rewarding.  Many times, he would accompany Rebecca on her many trips across Texas working in various courthouses to share special time on the road, always willing to come along for the rides of life.  Whether at the farm or elsewhere, Robert would go anywhere for “his girls”, Sheila, Kristin, and Rebecca. 

Robert was a man with unspoken accomplishments.  These accomplishments came from the hundreds of students’ lives he touched as a teacher and Principal.  Lessons taught in the ag shop and in the classroom, life lessons through thoughtful conversations, wisdom imparted on the back porch watching a storm roll in,  insights gained while driving a school bus,  life understandings sitting on the tail gate of an old pickup truck or sitting on the fender of an old tractor headed to the hay field.  He gave so much to so many and was incredibly important to the lives he touched.

As we lay our father, husband, father-in-law, grandfather, great-grandfather, uncle, brother, and friend to rest, we are grateful that he gave generously and fervently to so many and we will always love and cherish him for the precious gifts he gave to us all.

Preceded in Death by his father, Weldon Daniel Cousins and mother, Francis Butler Cousins, and grandfather, W.R. Cousins, Sr., and siblings, Alice Faye Perry Johnson, Charlotte Perry, DeAnn Dorward, Diane Watson, Jill Rose, David Misck, Mary Margaret Cousins along with loving mother-in-law, Winna Jean Fancher and uncle, Tucker Weems, sister-in-law, Linda Pierce and brother-in-law, Randy Fancher.

Survived by loving family including beloved wife, Sheila Sue Fancher Cousins,  and daughter, Kristin Cousins Powers and husband, Justin Lee Powers, daughter, Rebecca Cousins Brightwell, and husband, Samuel Mark Brightwell.  Grandchildren, Rexanna Powers deGruy and husband, Dylan deGruy, Haylon Lee Powers, and wife, Myla Powers, Savannah Grace Brightwell, and Sawyer Lane Brightwell.  Great-Grandchildren, Dean Joseph deGruy and Haddie Mae Powers.  Survived by siblings, Jack Cohn, Ruby Bull, and Barb Mathews.

Special thank you for the generous care and attention of Daddy’s devoted and loving caretakers, Ann Paige and Glenda King along with the medical staff of Heart to Heart Hospice and Nacogdoches Medical Center.

Pallbearers include Justin Lee Powers, Samuel Mark Brightwell, Haylon Lee Powers, Dylan deGruy, Sawyer Lane Brightwell, and Zachary Crawford.

Honorary Pallbearers include Kenneth Lane Barton, Terry Chandler, Jack Cohn, George Cox, Christopher Crawford, Ivan Pierce, Jimmy Rose, Tinny Harris, Pete Stokes and William Rial Taylor, Jr.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the Robert D. Cousins Memorial Scholarship Fund to support higher education in care  to address 101 South First Street, Lufkin, Texas 75901.