Rev. Haywood Cosby

Rev. James Haywood Cosby, 86, of Chattanooga, on Monday, Jan. 6, 2014 became "absent from his body, and instantly present with the Lord." Rev. Cosby pastored several churches throughout the Southeast for 50 years and taught at the University of Southern Mississippi, New Orleans Seminary Extension and Barbados Baptist College and did extensive foreign missions work. He was a graduate of Samford University, University of Southern Mississippi and New Orleans Baptist Seminary. He was an active member, associate pastor and elder of Woodland Park Baptist Church in Chattanooga. Survivors are his wife of 57 years, June Mattheiss Cosby; three children, Karen (Reed) Ingram, Montgomery, Ala., Jennifer Mathewson (Allen) Speer, Venice, Fla., and Craig (Debbie) Cosby, Ringgold, Ga.; nine grandchildren; one great-grandchild; and many nieces and nephews. A celebration of life will be held at 6:30 p.m. Friday, Jan. 10, at Woodland Park Baptist Church with Wayne Barber officiating. A graveside service will be held at 2:30 p.m. Friday at Chattanooga National Cemetery with Wayne Barber and Bill Hullander officiating. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Woodland Park Baptist Church Building Fund, Gideons International or Agape Flights in Venice, Fla. The family will receive friends from 5-8 p.m. today in Room 140 at Woodland Park Baptist Church and again on Friday from 5 p.m.-6:15 p.m. Arrangements are by Heritage Funeral Home, 7454 East Brainerd Road.