Doris Mae Cowell, 89, of New Bern, NC passed away at CEMC, New Bern on July 18, 2024 due to complications of Dementia. She was born March 10, 1935 in Stonewall, NC to the late James Leland Gaskins and Lena Rivers Langdon Gaskins.
Doris grew up the 4th of 5 children helping on the family farm and playing dolls with her sisters, which led to a lifelong love of babies and children. It was in Stonewall that she met the love of her life, Dallas. Her English teacher warned her to “stay away from that boy”, thank God she didn’t listen. They were married and immediately moved to Indiana where he was stationed, and she finished her last year of High School via correspondence courses and graduated with honors. Upon leaving the Army they returned home to settle down in New Bern. Though she had aspired to become a nurse, due to medical issues she chose instead to remain at home to keep house and raise her four children. She loved to sew, cook, and sing; all of which she was very good at. She and Dallas were very active in their church, helping to build it from the beginning. She sang a perfect pitch alto in the church choir, and often sang with her sister, Jan. (They were also known to yodel on occasion). She and Dallas were married for 57 years when she lost her love to cancer and Alzheimer’s. Their love was strong and everlasting. While life brings struggles to everyone, their love for each other was beautiful to see and be a part of.
She lived the “winter” of her life enjoying simple pleasures like growing her flower garden, sewing for others, and taking little trips with her daughters to visit family members. We are thankful for those memories of spending time together, and even more grateful that she is now whole again with no pain, once again our Daddy’s Darlin’ and singing praises to her Lord.
She is survived by her sister, Rose Amato (Chuck), of Pittsburgh, PA; and her three children, Rev Mike Cowell (Debbie), of Pittsboro, NC, Anne Cowell Bullard, (Marshall), of New Bern, NC, and Brenda “Ellee” Cowell Temple (Bryan) of Virginia Beach, VA. Twelve grandchildren and nineteen great grandchildren whom she loved so much.
She is pre-deceased by her husband, Dallas H Cowell and son David Cowell; brother, Jim Gaskins, and sisters, Catherine Thornton and Janice Hill.
We would like to thank the Staff, Nurses and CNA’s from Grantsbrook SNF in Grantsboro, NC where Doris spent the last 16 months of her life. She was well loved and cared for by all and enjoyed “doing rounds” with her nurses, and giving/receiving hugs and kisses freely to her beloved caretakers.
The Family asks that in lieu of flowers, a donation to Alzheimer’s Association, https://act.alz.org/donate.
The Family will receive friends and family on July 26, 2024 at 1:00pm with a Celebration of Life following at 2:00pm at Cotten Funeral Home. Interment will follow at Greenleaf Memorial Park.
Online condolences can be made to www.cottenfuneralhome.com
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