Virginia Ann "Sweet Pea" Coward passed on July 7, 2024 after a very long illness. She was born on December 3, 1943 in Jacksonville, Florida and was the only daughter of Ceby Gideon ("Pop") Coward and Virginia Watson ("Mimi") Coward. She is predeceased by her parents and her brothers, Donald, Stanley, and Bill.

She graduated from Robert E. Lee High School in Jacksonville, attended South Georgia College, then graduated from Georgia Southern University. She taught elementary school in St. Simons, moved to Virginia Beach, and returned to Jacksonville to teach, predominantly at Seabreeze Elementary in Jacksonville Beach. She managed extended day and taught summer school gigs for four decades. Her students had to love her sleek, tanned glamour with her perfectly coiffed iconic swoop bang hairstyle and fabulous outfits.  She stayed busy with friends and was a talented member of the Sassy Tappers, who performed dance routines regularly around the city. Sweet Pea relished the fit beach lifestyle and her membership at Sawgrass Country Club.  She was a founding member and dedicated board member of The Chapel at Sawgrass. The church had services outside the Beach Club, and Sweet Pea set up chairs and was in charge of the song books.

She lived in Ponte Vedra Beach for most of her adult life. She doted on and enjoyed all her nieces, nephews, grandnieces, and grandnephews. And she took exceptional care of her parents. Her strawberry pretzel salad was a requested part of holiday family gatherings. Sweet Pea would come bearing loads of gifts, her jello masterpiece, and organic white wine in an attempt to ameliorate any chance of post sip headaches. She was a cherished and adored daughter, sister, cousin, and aunt.

Sweet Pea's memorial service will be Friday, July 19th at 1 p.m. at the Ponte Vedra Valley Funeral Home.  

Donations may be made to The Chapel at Sawgrass, PO Box 3205, Ponte Vedra Beach, FL 32004.