PEGGY JONES COWEN

Peggy Jones Cowen, age 78, went to be with the Lord on December 14, 2016. Peggy is preceded in death by her parents Randall W. Jones, her other beloved father Horace G. Russell and her mother N. Eloise Dabbs Jones Russell, and her husband of 48 plus years, Prude T. Cowen, Jr. She is survived by her son Tom Cowen, special family friend Dr. Brett J. Drummond, and a host of cousins and friends. A lifelong advocate of her family, faith, community, and country, Peggy was the person everyone knew they could count on no matter how small or great the task. When her parents were faced with failing health and could no longer be independent, asking their daughter to care for them was not necessary. Mrs. Cowen already had a plan for this eventuality and acted upon it; caring for each until they passed away. As a loving mother, Peggy Cowen encouraged Tom to pursue his dreams, and never to settle for anything other than the best he could achieve. She extended this lesson to Brett as well and offered him encouragement. Mrs. Cowen’s dedication to her husband, Prude T. Cowen Jr, was never made more clear than when she took his eight-year convalescence upon her own shoulders in her home until he died in 2012. Peggy was a very active member of Pleasant Ridge Baptist Church for decades. She and Prude taught Sunday school classes. Peggy was a member of the choir. Mrs. Cowen also served as a former Director of the WMU, which is now known as Women on Mission. She, her husband, and her son completed missionary trips for the Home Mission Board. Peggy also often donated her time, organizational skills, and diligence to assure the satisfactory completion of church projects. For Mrs. Cowen, giving to others was not something to be limited to family and church only. She was an active volunteer or member of many charitable organizations and strove to bring about a positive image for Hueytown, the State of Alabama, and our nation. Some of her memberships included the Hueytown Study Club, the Legacy League of Samford University, the Parent Teacher Association, the Hueytown Historical Society, the Hueytown Alumni Association, and Mrs. Cowen held officer positions at some of these as well as the office of President of the Culture Club of Hueytown. The wellbeing of people who are visually impaired especially resonated with Peggy who served as a contributor to the Alabama Industries for the Blind. Following the tenets of being a good steward to our planet, Mrs. Cowen participated in recycling programs. Patriotism for Peggy was a privilege she diligently supported by volunteering at the election poll sites for many years to sustain our right to vote at the city, county, state, and federal levels. Additionally, Peggy contributed financially to charitable foundations that render aid to American veterans. As a professional, Mrs. Cowen used her financial prowess, organizational acumen, and outstanding work ethic to contribute to the labor force as a banker who worked for the better part of four decades; stopping work only to focus better on her family. Everyone who learned anything about Peggy soon found out she was an Auburn University football fanatic. From 1968 to 1996, Mrs. Cowen, Prude, and a gang of her friends, all of who held season tickets, traveled to games all over the country to cheer for Peggy’s favorite team. Everyone whose lives were touched by Peggy will miss her profoundly. We, her family, and friends, take comfort in memories of her. We also know that when our time to pass away comes, Peggy will do as she always has; she will “direct traffic” to safeguard our journey. The visitation will be Monday, from 5:00 PM until 7:00 PM, at Peoples Chapel Funeral Home. The funeral service will be Tuesday, December 20, 2016, at 11:00 AM at the funeral home. Burial will follow at Mud Creek Baptist Cemetery. In lieu of flowers the family suggests memorials be made to Mud Creek Baptist Church Cemetery Fund.

PEGGY JONES COWEN

December 14, 1938 - December 14, 2016