Phyllis Cowan

On October 31, 2020 at noon our heavenly father sent his angels to escort Phyillis Joan Cowan to her everlasting home in heaven.

She was born Phyllis Joan Hayes on January 26, 1938 in St. Paul Kansas to Floyd and Francis Hayes. She was one of 11 girls. She was raised in St. Paul and Erie Kansas, graduated from Erie High School in 1956. After graduation she enlisted in the United States Army (WAC) Women’s Army Core, serving 6 years active duty, Serving 2 yrs. in Bremerhaven, Germany, 4 yrs. At Quantico, VA (Quantico is the training home for the Army criminal investigation Department) and 4 months at the Pentagon. While in the army she also graduated from the Fred Astaire school of dance and she loved to dance.

After leaving the army she met the love of her life John Cowan in 1963 at a Halloween party, they married the following year on June 18, 1964. They had five children, John Jr; Elizabeth, Lisa, Mike and George. They made their first home in Tulsa, OK. where she worked as a CNA on the Kidney floor at Hillcrest Medical Hospital. They moved to Neodesha, KS. in 1982 and she received her bachelor’s degree in nursing and LPN in 1994.

Survivors include her husband John of the home, two daughters Elizabeth Cowan of Topeka, KS; Lisa Cowan and husband Linny Newberry of Neodesha, and one son Mike Cowan and wife Kitty of Edna Wyoming. Grandchildren: Sarah Luna of Tulsa, Tyler Cowan of Tulsa, Heather Hall and husband Dave of Culpeper, VA; Tara Kerns and fiancée Tony Meeker of Council Bluffs, Iowa. And Sean Cowan of Neodesha, KS. Great grandchildren are Avery Luna, Amelia Luna, Madalyn Luna, Tyler John (TJ) Cowan, Kennedy Hall, Leo Meeker, Layla Meeker and Avelynn Newberry.

Proceeding her in the afterlife were her parents Floyd and Francis Hayes, 10 sisters; Mary Garrison, Thelma Amos, Violet (Neice) Knowles, Martha (LOU) Brooks, Ilene Wasson, Jeannie Hayes, Linda Kay Hardin, Twins Louis and Lucinda Hayes and one Unknown, son John Jr. and George Cowan and two grand babies.

Cremation has taken place under the care of Loran Fawcett Chapel of Neodesha, KS.

Graveside services will be 2:00pm Friday November 13, 2020 in Memorial Cemetery in Chanute, KS. with Rev. Gary Larson officiating, Military rites will be presented by American Legion Post # 170 of Chanute, KS. Hymns will be “The Old Rugged Cross” and “Amazing Grace” and will be sung by Angela King, Shawn Davis and Kelli Strang. On-Line condolences can be left to the family by going to www.loranfawcettfuneralhome.com