Mary Ann Cowan

Mary Ann Cowan of San Benito, Texas, passed away at her beloved home after a long, full life and a brief illness on March 2, 2025. She was born August 3, 1931, in Silverton, Texas to Alla Virginia (Powell) and Vernon Forrest Jones. 

She was preceded in death by her husband of 55 years, Don D Cowan; her sister, Virginia Griffing; her son, Ben Cowan; and her sons-in-law, Tommy Botkin and David Burton. She is survived by: her children, Brad and Chris Cowan, Edinburg; Carolyn Botkin, Tahoka; and DeAnna Burton, San Benito; her daughter-in-law, Tammy Cowan, Rio Hondo; her eleven grandchildren: Drew and Laura Cowan, Russell and Krystal Cowan, Glen and Colette Cowan, Kevin and Sarah Cowan, Liz and Cody Phillips, Logan and Kelsey Cowan, Emily Brown, Callie and Aaron Lewis, Carlie Burton, Annie and Craig Robertson, Alex and Jeremy Eddington; and her twenty-eight great-grandchildren. Mary Ann also is survived by her sister, Linda Hook, as well as many nieces, nephews and other extended family members. 

Mary Ann grew up in Amherst and Tahoka, Texas. She graduated from Tahoka High School, class of 1948, and Texas Tech University, class of 1952. She married Don D Cowan on December 18, 1951, while he was home from boot camp and preparing to serve in the Marine Corp during the Korean Conflict. After his service, Don became a County Agricultural Extension Agent and, after landing in Cameron County in 1963, Mary Ann became a teacher. She taught full-time for twenty-three years while also raising her family. Most of that time was spent as a junior high homemaking teacher. During that time she also taught Sunday school and helped lead her children, and many other young people, through countless 4-H projects. She was the family historian with a mind like a steel trap. It was wonderful to sit in a room while Don tried to spin a tall tale of glorious adventures as Mary Ann reminded everyone of the facts. The couple retired at the age of 55 and had many tales to share of their travels, mostly to spoil their grandchildren. 

After Don’s passing in 2007, Mary Ann began to travel with her dear lifelong friend, Peggy Price, and the two of them ventured abroad on several cruises. She loved west Texas sunsets, playing cards and dominos, gardening, birding, traveling, sewing, reading, and cooking. She not only loved these things, but she was great at them! She took the time and had the patience to teach these skills to her children and grandchildren. All of her hobbies are carried on in the family as evidenced by the numerous pictures of sunsets, many nights gathered around a game table, the family group messages devoted to gardening, the walks that include debating the birds heard along the way, the countless trips the families have taken, the handmade outfits sitting in closets waiting for the next generation to grow into them, the numerous bookshelves full to bursting in every home, and the endless amounts of unbelievably delicious food available at every Cowan gathering. Mary Ann was the matriarch any family would be blessed to have. She led with her words and her life.

She was an active member of First United Methodist Church of San Benito for over 60 years. She showed us all what it means to walk by faith and trust in the Lord with all your heart. She taught us all how to live, love and die by her beautiful example. Mary Ann will be greatly missed but never forgotten. 

Serving as pallbearers are grandsons and great-grandsons: Drew Cowan, Russell Cowan, Kevin Cowan, Glen Cowan, Logan Cowan, Brady Brown, Cooper Brown, Donnie Carl and Jason Carl. 

A celebration of life service will be held on Thursday, March 6th, at 2:00 p.m., at the First United Methodist Church in San Benito with a reception immediately following in the Fellowship Hall. 

A graveside service will be held at Tahoka Cemetery on Saturday, March 8th, at 10:00 a.m., followed by a reception at Tahoka Methodist Church. In honor of Mary Ann’s devotion to her local church, memorials may be sent to: First United Methodist Church, 400 N. Sam Houston, San Benito, Texas, 78586, or through the church website directly at http://tinyurl.com/MACOWAN . Select the memorials option online.