Jean Cowden

Jean Helen Walpole Cowden, 80, passed away at home on December 10, 2012, with her family at her side. Services will be held on Thursday, December 13, 2012 at 2:00 PM from the United Methodist Church in Santa Rosa, NM. Burial will follow at Evergreen Cemetery. Arrangements are under the direction of Chavez Funeral Home. Jean was born in Rock Valley, Iowa on June 2, 1932 to Mildred and Leslie J Walpole. She is preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Guy Tom Cowden, son Thomas Howard Cowden, and brother Robert James Walpole. She is survived by daughter Christy Cowden Brown and husband Matthews Brown, daughter Patricia Cowden Shanklin and husband Souli Shanklin; son Samuel Eugene Cowden and wife Kathy Spreen Cowden. Also surviving are grandchildren Courtney Brown Snyder (Chad), Lauren Brown Stewart (Ryon), Joseph Wesley Brown, Thomas Asa Shanklin (Katy), Souli Ryan Shanklin, Seth Taos Shanklin, Abagale Lee Cowden, Hannah Renee Cowden, Guy Coley Cowden, and one great granddaughter Saige Clarice Shanklin. She is also survived by many special friends and caregiver Dorothy Romero. Jean moved from Iowa to Santa Rosa with her family. She graduated from Santa Rosa High School in 1950 and attended the University of New Mexico. She married Guy Tom Cowden on December 30th 1952. They made their home and raised their family on Cowden Ranch. She was a member of the United Methodist Church and devoted much time and energy to the development and maintenance of the Evergreen Cemetery. Jean was involved in every aspect of the family ranching business. She cooked, then hauled, many meals out to the working cowboys. She also hauled her children 13 miles each way to catch the school bus. She was Rooster’s right hand woman for 42 years. Jean was an avid gardener and enjoyed having pretty flowers on her porch, particularly in her later years. She adored her 9 grandchildren and supported all their endeavors. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the United Methodist Memorial Fund PO Box 303 Santa Rosa, NM 88435 or the Evergreen Cemetery PO Box 357 Santa Rosa, NM 88435.