Mr. Cousins was a proud and honorable Army veteran who achieved the rank of Sergeant Major, E-9 before retiring after 49 years. While in the military, he was the Chef to military dignitaries including Chairmen to the Joint Chief of Staff. After retiring he returned to Fort Eustis to continue to manage the dining hall. He then became an entrepreneur and purchased and operated a food truck, eventually opening “Mr. Ribs” restaurant selling some of the best ribs, barbecue, and soul food Virginia had to offer. As a chef he was also a natural at gardening and produced a great bounty of food each year. In his spare time Mr. Cousins was an avid fisherman and could be found happily casting from his fishing boat.
A proud family man was born on Aug. 18, 1933, in Clintonville, the son of the late William Walter Cousins and Mable Lena (Nalley) Cousins. He is survived by his sons, Walter P. Cousins-Patterson, (Carol D.) of White Sulphur Springs, Gregory Blaine Cousins, (Maricar), of Newport News, VA, and Michael Leroy Cousins, of Thomasville, NC. His daughters include Gail Inez (Toni) Walker of Virginia Beach, VA, Teresa Monique Cousins, (Brian Oaksford) and Elizabeth Ann Jackson-Crutchfield, (Marshall), of Durham, NC. He is also survived by his second wife, Delois Cousins and a host of grandchildren, great-grandchildren, great-great-grandchildren and numerous other relatives.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his brothers, Raymond and Conard Cousins, his sister Mildred Cousins, his beloved son, Timothy Wayne Cousins and his first wife, Hattie Mae Jackson.
Family and friends will be received on Friday, Nov. 22, from 6 to 8 p.m. at Wallace & Wallace Funeral Home, 884 Jefferson Street North, Lewisburg, WV. His funeral will be held at First Baptist Church, 17 Church St., White Sulphur Springs, led by Reverend Greg Scott on Saturday, Nov. 23, at 11 a.m. He will be laid to rest at Trails End Cemetery in Clintonville, WV.
Flowers may be sent to Wallace & Wallace Funeral Home, 884 Jefferson Street North, Lewisburg, WV. Donations can be made in Mr. Cousins name to the Veterans Support Organization, 702 Middle Ground Blvd., Newport News, VA 23606.
