Garnette Cowan

Kingsport, TN Garnette Styers Cowan, 96, of Asheville, went home to be with the Lord on Tuesday, August 25, 2009 while residing at the Elmcroft Assisted Living Facility in Kingsport, TN. A native of Danville, VA, she retired from the Blue Bird Ice Cream Company, of which she managed for 20 years, as well as the W.T. Grant Company. She was a member of Westwood Baptist Church. Garnette was the daughter of the late Sam and Mollie Callahan Styers, and the wife of the late Clarence W. Cowan. She was also preceded in death by her daughter, Mary Frances Cowan; sister, Regania Fowler; and brother, Larry Styers. Surviving are her son, William Cowan and wife Janice of Kingsport; three grandchildren: Mark Cowan and wife Kathy of Knoxville, TN, Carrie Klapperich of Knoxville, and Rebecca Vettese and husband Dennis of Canyon City, CO; seven great-grandchildren; three great, great-grandchildren; three sisters: Aleene Fowler and Evelyn Allison, both of Gaffney, SC, and Marjorie Boardman and husband Jack of Bourbon, IN; and numerous nieces and nephews. At Garnettes request, a graveside service will be held at 11 AM Saturday at Green Hills Cemetery, with the Rev. Dr. Gregory Metcalf officiating. The family will receive friends from 7-9 PM Friday at Anders-Rice Funeral Home and Cremation Center. The family expresses their heartfelt thanks for the loving and excellent care that Garnette was given by the staff of Elmcroft Assisted Living of Kingsport since May, 2009. Also, special thanks to a dear niece, Martha Calloway and son Mike for their watchful care of Garnette while she was able to live in her home in her later years. Memorial donations may be made to Westwood Baptist Church, 150 Westwood Place, Asheville, NC 28806.