Jeanie Tunstill Cowden

Jeanie Tunstill Cowden, 80, went home to be with her Lord and Savior on the 18th day of June 2023 from her home in Austin. Jeanie was a cherished wife, daughter, mother, and grandmother. She was born on June 9, 1943, and raised in Fort Worth, Texas, by Jack Compton Tunstill and Jean Lipps Tunstill. Jeanie attended Alice Carlson Elementary, McLean Junior High, Paschal High School of Fort Worth, and The University of Texas at Austin, where she received her Bachelor of Arts in both English and Art History. She met her husband, James Coley Cowden of Midland, Texas, while at the University; it was love at first sight. They were married for 55 years and have three children and ten grandchildren.

Jeanie was a talented interior designer, wise Bible study teacher, avid tennis player, and lover of all things beautiful. Jeanie made her debut in Fort Worth at the Jewel Charity Ball and in New York City at the International Debutante Ball. She was a member of Pi Beta Phi sorority; The Junior League of Midland; Community Bible Study, Midland and Austin; Midland Garden Club and The Garden Club of Austin; Women’s Symphony League; and First Baptist Church, Midland and The Bible Church of the Lakes, Horseshoe Bay. She was on the Les Amis de Hospice (Friends of Hospice) Fundraising Board and the Seton Development Fundraising Board.

Jeanie is preceded in death by her husband, James Coley Cowden, and her parents, Jean and Jack Tunstill. She is survived by her daughter, Christy Cowden Little, sons, James Coley “Duke” Cowden, Jr. and wife, Heidi, and Allen Tunstill Cowden and wife, Kristin, and her ten grandchildren: Jake and Olivia Little; Marilee Cowden Hughes and husband, Brett, Clara Grace, Coley, Coulter, and Adelaide Cowden; and Jack, Luke, and Lucy Cowden.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to: Hospice Austin, 4107 Spicewood Springs Rd., Austin, Texas 78759 or Samaritan’s Purse, P.O. Box 3000, Boone, N.C. 28607.

Graveside services will be held on Monday, June 26th, 2023 at Texas State Cemetery, 909 Navasota St., Austin, Texas 78702 at 10:00 a.m.