Tommie Rita Pilgrim Coward Borroum, 97, passed away peacefully on March 25, 2022 in Corsicana.

Tommie was born on February 28, 1925, in Koshkonong, Missouri and moved with her parents, Willie "Bill" and Gladys Pilgrim, and sisters, Laura and Eleanor, to Bardwell, Texas when she was just an infant.

Growing up in Bardwell, Tommie worked alongside her parents and sisters in the cotton fields. She worshipped with the Bardwell Church of Christ – a congregation that held a special place in her heart her entire life. She was an impressive basketball player for the Bardwell High School Black Cats and the 1942 valedictorian.

A love of working the land stayed with Tommie all her life, especially gardening. She truly missed putting on her sun hat and hopping on the riding mower to take care of her yard. She also loved lake life and fishing. Her nature walks were replaced by rides through the countryside in later years, but she never lost her admiration for the wonder and beauty of God's creation that began with working in those fields of rich black dirt.

She later married Howard Bailey Coward. The two shared 40 years of marriage and lots of adventures. They made their home in Bardwell, Dallas, Wills Point, and finally Corsicana. Their greatest joy came from loving and raising their daughters, Rita and Cynthia. Tommie lost Howard to cancer in January 1998 but found love again with Robert "Bob" E. Borroum, who had also lost his wife, Edith, that same month. They comforted each other and found great joy in their marriage, which ended with Bob's passing in 2005.

Tommie lived life to the fullest, always ready for a road trip – especially if that meant visiting family. She loved playing dominos with her special friends, Emma and Colleen, sewing and quilting, gardening, feeding and watching the birds, and spoiling every dog that was lucky enough to be in her household.

Although health issues kept her from worshipping with her brothers and sisters at North Beaton Church of Christ these past few years, she remained faithful with her Bible studies and devotion to Christ her Savior. The family takes comfort knowing she has gone peacefully on to her rest and there is much rejoicing in heaven.

Tommie leaves behind her daughters Rita Capehart and husband Don, and Cynthia Coward; grandchildren LaQuita Bristow and husband Terry, and Shawn Capehart and wife Susanne; great-grandchildren Lene' Mitchell and husband Josh, Shea Bristow, Dionne Ortiz, Geoffrey Ortiz, and Garyt Ortiz; great-great grandson Dakota Mitchell; and numerous and oh-so-special nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be held on Monday, March 28th from 6:00pm-8:00pm with a Chapel service the following day, Tuesday, March 29th at 2pm at J. E. Keever Mortuary, 408 North Dallas Street, Ennis, Texas 75119. Private burial at Elm Branch Cemetery in Bardwell, Texas.

Honorary pallbearers are Andy Addy, Terry Bristow, Darrell Capehart, Earl Chumley, Roy Dent, Garry Fitz, Josh Mitchell, and Phillip Thomas.

The family has requested that remembrances be made in the form of contributions to the Elm Branch Cemetery Association, American Cancer Society, or a charity dear to your heart.

Rita and Cynthia wish to send a special thank you to the kind and compassionate staff at Twilight Nursing Home in Corsicana – thank you for loving and caring for our mother.

"I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith." 2 Timothy 4:7

Submitted by family