- Date Of Birth: March 28, 1918
- Date Of Death: July 3, 2013
- State: California
Mrs. Cowan passed away peacefully at a local hospital. She is the mother of Ann Porter, Bernice Steele, Eleanor White, Steve Cowan and Augusteen Cowan.
Mary Bessie Fortune Cowan was born March 28, 1917 in Conway, AK. She was the eighth of nine children (two boys and seven girls) born to Isaac and Rachel Williams-Fortune. The daughter of a farmer and homemaker, Mary was raised on a one-hundred twenty acre homestead property with her siblings. Her daily chores included chopping and picking cotton, milking cows, feeding chickens, washing clothes by hand on a scrub board, cooking and canning food.
Mary married Rufus Cowan and their union was blessed with six children. Her youngest son, Claudia Cowan preceded her in death while a newborn. She was also preceded in death by her husband Rufus Cowan, her parents and all of her siblings. Mary and Rufus arrived in San Diego, CA in 1956, driving a Buick Roadmaster with their five children and all of their personal belongings. The Cowan Family was a long way from Arkansas, but it didn’t take long for them to settle in and make San Diego their permanent home. Mary was a homemaker who loved caring for her children. Under the leadership of the late Bishop J. A. Blake, Sr.
Mary was affectionately known as “Mother” not only by her children, but by her grandchildren, great-grandchildren and friends. She was an amazing woman, the best and most beautiful Mother anyone could have! Mother loved all her children unconditionally and they loved her too. The love from her family helped to keep Mother vibrant, active and energetic; she never complained of being tired. Even in her nineties, she never stopped going! Everybody that knew Mother knew she had a passion and love for shopping. Her children enjoyed taking her out for a day of fun and shopping. Mary was a great cook, she was especially known for her homemade stacked coconut cakes and sweet potato pies. Her children enjoyed family meals inspired by their days in the country: her delicious brown beans, macaroni and cheese, cornbread and peach cobbler served with a big glass of home-made churned buttermilk. Mary was also a classy dresser whose favorite colors were lavender, pink and purple. Mary raised many of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, some of whom are now parents themselves. She had a positive impact on everybody with whom she came in contact. She enjoyed traveling to many family events including the first Cowan-Fortune Family Reunion that was held in San Diego, CA. There, she spent special moments with her sisters.
On Wednesday, July 3, 2013, God called Mary Bessie Fortune Cowan home to Glory. She leaves to celebrate her life and cherish her memory, her beloved children, Ann Porter, Steve Cowan (Daisie), Bernice Steele, Eleanor Lois White and Augusteen Cowan all of San Diego, CA; fifteen grandchildren, twenty-five great-grandchildren and fifteen great great-grandchildren. She also leaves a special nephew, Isaac Fortune (Violetta) of San Diego, CA; brothers-in-law, Otis Cowan of Conway, AK and Fredrick Cowan of Galesburg, IL, and a host of nieces, nephews, relatives and special friends.
“Mary, truly was a Virtuous Woman”
