Kelly Malone Cowan

Kelly Malone Cowan passed away peacefully surrounded by her husband Jason and children Shannon, Katherine and Mason on May 3, 2019 after a brief illness. She will be dearly missed by all who loved and knew her. Kelly was a woman of faith, bravery, compassion, ability, and kindness. At five foot one, Kelly was small in stature, but big in everything that mattered: faith, intellect, heart and, most importantly, love.

On September 19, 1957, Kelly arrived to great rejoicing as the first born child of Samuel Franklin and Nell Prewitt Malone, who predeceased her. Kelly was a much-loved child. She is survived by her younger brother Samuel Wade. Not unlike many brothers and sisters, Kelly and Wade were frequently at each other’s throats in their youth, but they made it through that phase and grew very close with a deep love, respect and appreciation for each other. Kelly attended Mountain Brook schools where she was an excellent student. She made many lifelong friendships which she cherished. Kelly graduated from Mountain Brook High School in 1975. After receiving her bachelor’s degree from UAB, Kelly enjoyed a successful career in real estate and banking. She most recently was employed at Iberia Bank where she was a valued colleague.

Kelly was an expert decorator and chef. She especially loved decorating for Christmas with grandson Anthony and cooking with granddaughter Mary Grace. Each Christmas, Kelly and Anthony would decorate Christmas Trees with great care and thoroughness in every room (except the bathrooms, although those had Christmas decorations too). Kelly and Mary Grace would cook and bake up a storm, including a diverse and delicious array of Holiday treats that were enjoyed by all to excess. If you did not have the Christmas Spirit before visiting Kelly’s home, you sure had it thereafter in abundance! Kelly’s Christmas presents were always well considered and immaculately wrapped and presented.

Like all of her family, Kelly was a devoted fan of Alabama football and loved attending games of the Crimson Tide with her family members. When an Alabama game was on TV Kelly was not to be interrupted. In those extremely rare instances where Bama lost, Kelly was best not approached for a good while.

Kelly is survived by her husband Jason Cowan, the love of her life, whom she married in 2005. Kelly’s and Jason’s years of marriage were marked by love, respect and many good times together, including fun times at the beach, camping in the mountains and attending the activities of the children and grandchildren.

Kelly is survived by her children Shannon, Katherine, and Mason Dillard of whom she was very proud. Kelly was a loving and devoted mother in every sense of those words and her children will be forever grateful for all she did and sacrificed for them. Kelly’s greatest joy these past ten plus years were her grandchildren, Anthony and Mary Grace, and their many pursuits and activities, most notably Mary Grace’s excellence in ballet, including annually in The Nutcracker, and Anthony’s sports prowess and theatrical skills. Anthony and Mary Grace affectionately called Kelly their “MayMay.” Kelly’s rest will be an easy one in that she leaves a strong legacy in her children and grandchildren.

Kelly is also survived by Jason’s sister and brother and their families with whom she shared a mutual love and respect: Jacinta (Lance) Yoakum and children Randa, Raelea and Paige, and Preston Cowan and daughter Elizabeth.

Kelly enjoyed a special relationship with her sister-in–law Kelly, Wade’s wife. The Kelly’s very much enjoyed each other’s company. They shared a mutual bond of having to put up with Wade, which they agreed was a near impossible task. The Kelly’s took a memorable trip to Washington, DC in December 2000 where they were able to spend a fascinating day taking a behind-the-scenes tour of The Oval Office, The West Wing and The White House Press Room followed by great food and wine in Georgetown. Kelly’s and Wade’s children Maryellen, Kellyann and Sam, Kelly Cowan’s nieces and nephew, were very special to her and she to them. Kellyann was named after her Aunt Kelly and will proudly carry that association forward with her in life.

It has been observed that an accurate barometer of a person’s genuineness is how much they are loved by their pets. In that regard Kelly was in a class by herself. Kelly is survived by her beloved dogs; Charlotte (French Briard – a large herding dog), Daisy (Chocolate Lab) and Roscoe (Maltese Yorkie). Every night Charlotte slept at the foot of Kelly’s bed. During Kelly’s last weeks, Charlotte would sit where she could prop her face on Kelly’s bed so she could watch Kelly. When Kelly was moved to hospice Charlotte climbed up into Kelly’s bed, something Charlotte had been physically unable to do for some time due to her age.

Kelly’s Family, including her dogs, will miss her every day for the rest of our lives.

Upon Kelly’s arrival in Heaven, God greeted her: “Well done my good and faithful servant.”

A private family burial will be held at Elmwood where Kelly will be buried next to her parents. A Memorial Service will be held at Ridout’s Valley Chapel at 1800 Oxmoor Rd., Homewood, Alabama 35209 on Thursday, May 9, 2019, at 3:30 p.m. with the family to greet visitors thereafter. Kelly’s Family is grateful to the staff of Ridout’s for their compassion and professionalism.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Kelly’s memory to the Highest Heights Forever Initiative c/o the Atlanta Bar Foundation, 229 Peachtree Street, Suite 400, Atlanta, Ga. 30303.