Eva Lou Costa

Eva Lou Costa of Folly Beach, SC, joined the church triumphant on the afternoon of December 9, 2024. She will be deeply missed by her family and friends for her sweet personality, strength, positive outlook, rock-solid faith, and ever-present smiles, hugs, love, and encouragement.

Eva Lou was born in Soperton, GA on September 11, 1937 to Ruby and Clifford Sherrod. She moved to Charleston when she was five years old but still spent summers in Soperton with grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins. When she was eight, her family moved to West Ashley when it was just developing. She attended John Wesley United Methodist Church before the sanctuary was built. Her teen years were spent at St. Andrews Parish High School where at the age of 15, she met Morrow Costa, her future husband. She graduated St. Andrews as Salutatorian and served as secretary of the senior class, editor-in-chief of her school paper, secretary of the National Honor Society, student council representative, member of basketball team, Block A Club, Press Club, and Quill and Scroll. She was also chosen to portray the role of Lucia in a presentation of the Swedish Christmas “Lucia Fest” presented by the Young Woman’s Christian Association. She and her friends shared many happy memories of being in the Y-Teens, playing sports, never missing a football game, working on the school newspaper, performing in Mr. Hester’s “Broadway Show” every spring (even if you had no talent), beach parties, piling into a truck and going to Magnolia drive-in theatre, and waterskiing in the Stono River.

While attending Furman University in Greenville, SC, Eva Lou lettered in Tennis and attended Buncombe Street Methodist Church. In 1959, she graduated with Honors at Furman where she was elected Senior Class President, Junior Class President, President of the W.R.A, Vice President of SC Athletic and Recreation Federation for College Women, and Best All-Around superlative. After graduation, she was offered a teaching position by C.E. Williams at her alma mater, St. Andrews High. Eva Lou also served as head coach of St. Andrews girls basketball team that won the AA State Championship in 1967-68. During these years, she also taught youth Sunday school classes at John Wesley and occasionally taught her mother’s class as well. Eva Lou would also refer the young people to memorize one of her favorite scriptures which she later wrote in each of her son’s bibles when they left home - Proverbs 3: 5-6. It reads “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways, acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your path.”

In 1961, Eva Lou and Morrow were married in John Wesley by Dr. Lupo, and soon after, they joined the new Lupo Sunday school class. They remained in that class as it changed over the years from young parents to grandparents. Both of her sons, Clifford and Jay, grew up in John Wesley and are active members today, and she felt blessed with her two wonderful daughters-in-law, Deborah and Mandy. During all her years, and especially in later years, faith got her through every crisis, such as losing family members from grandparents, parents, aunts, uncles, cousins, brother, and husband. She considered herself weak in many ways but, thank goodness, God is strong. She depended on Him to strengthen her during difficult times and also to guide her in making decisions, big and small.

Having taught in Charleston County Schools for 50 years, Eva Lou always kept a familiar card over her desk that read “A Teachers Code - 100 years from now, no one will remember the house I lived in, the car I drove, or the clothes I wore, but the world may be a little better because I was important in the life of a child.” Each year, West Ashley High School awards the “Costa Cup” to the Salutatorian in her honor.

Her life was centered around her family, church, and teaching profession. She said that overseeing all of these was God, who brought her many friends and opportunities to witness. Although she gave so much in her time here, Eva Lou was just so grateful to all around her. Her final spoken words, repeated to each person who was caring for her, and accompanied by a sweet smile, hug, and a kiss, was a simple heart-felt “Thank you”. Her family would like to thank The Kempton of Charleston for the genuine love shown to her while in their care, to Hospice by Bayada for making her transition as peaceful as possible, and to the West Ashley High School girls basketball team for bringing her a signed basketball.

Eva Lou is survived by her two sons: Jay Costa and wife Mandy of Folly Beach, and Cliff Costa and wife Deborah of Johns Island; five grandchildren: Brandon Costa (Maggie), Drew Costa, Callie Costa, Kelsey Costa, and McKenna Costa; two great grandchildren: Ellison Costa and Hayes Costa; niece: Lindsey Sherrod Dunn (Carrington); and nephew: Christopher Michael Sherrod (Angel); her loving and talkative sister, Barbara Jean Borgen of Yakima, Washington; brother-in-law, Irvind Borgen of Charleston; sister-in-law, Sue McMullen Sherrod of Gifford, PA; brother-in-law, Robert Costa of Hershey, PA; twelve nieces and nephews; and many great nieces, great nephews, her favorite cousin Ellison Ricks (Genie); extended family, and many wonderful friends. She was pre-deceased by her husband, Morrow Costa, and her brother, Michael Sherrod. 

Her memorial service will be held Sunday, December 15, 2024 at John Wesley United Methodist Church, 626 Savannah Highway, at three o'clock. Visitation with the family will be in the Leisure Ministries Room following the service. 

Memorial contributions may be made to John Wesley United Methodist Church, 626 Savannah Highway, Charleston, SC 29407. Arrangements by J. Henry Stuhr, Inc. Downtown Chapel.