In loving memory of
JoAnne Cowan
April 1, 2010
JoAnne Cowan, age 71, of 1428 Kentucky, Quincy, died Thursday, April 1, 2010 at 11:36 am in Blessing Hospital.
She was born April 25, 1938 in Strawberry, Arkansas the daughter of Burl and Juanita Jones Gray. On October 26, 1956 she married Charles Cowan in Humansville, Missouri. He survives.
JoAnne was a 1956 graduate of Humansville High School where she met her husband. She placed first in the Missouri State Music Competition and received a full scholarship to the University of Missouri. She and Charles moved to Quincy in 1960. She was an active member of Beta Sigma Phi Sorority, and was crowned their Valentine Queen in 1965. She was also chosen Beta Sigma Phi "Girl of the Year" in 1969. JoAnne was instrumental in organizing the first Dogwood Festival in 1971. She was a 1981 graduate of Quincy College and went on to teach English Literature at Liberty High School.
Survivors in addition to her husband include three children, Pamela Thornton and her husband Butch of Elkmont, AL, Judith Taylor of Quincy, and Justin Cowan of Quincy; four grandchildren, Tara Kenyon, Benjamin and Anna Taylor, and Katie Cowan; two great-grandchildren, Tyler Warchol and Landon Kenyon; two brothers, Bob Gray and his wife Mary, and Garry Gray; two sisters, Kay Martin and her husband Tim, and Nancy Kenniston and her husband Fred; numerous nieces and nephews and family that loved her dearly.
She was preceded in death by her parents, and an infant brother Burl Jr.
Services: 10:00 am Monday, April 5, 2010, at Hansen-Spear Funeral Home with Rev. Chuck Sacket officiating. Burial will be in Greenmount Cemetery.
Visitation: 2-4pm Sunday at Hansen-Spear
Memorials: Habitat for Humanity, American Lung Association, or Salvation Army Hometown Endowment
www.hansenspear.com
Hansen-Spear Funeral Directors are in charge of arrangements.