Sept. 25, 1938 ~ Oct. 13, 2025
Mary Alice Cowen, 87 of Fieldton, Texas, departed this Earth on October 13, 2025, in Lubbock, Texas. She was born in Houston, Texas, on September 25, 1938 to Willie Clinton "Buster" Hawks and Dorothy Collier Hawks.
Buster and Dorothy moved their family to Whitharral, Texas, where Mary Alice would grow up on the farm with her sisters and brother growing cotton. Mary Alice graduated from Whitharral High School in 1956. She then met her husband, Donald Wayne Cowen, and married on December 14, 1957. While Donald served in the United States Army, Mary Alice was a devoted homemaker as well as a seamstress. She mastered her craft, which she would enjoy throughout her life, and there was no job too small, nor too out of the ordinary, for her to turn down. From men's suits wedding dresses to window drapes to vehicle upholstery, and even a small shipment of designer clothing to New York, she would share her gift with those in need. She also enjoyed quilting and crafting with family and friends. Following Donald's military service, Donald and Mary Alice would make their home in Fieldton, Texas, where they would farm cotton and raise their family. Mary Alice was active in her children's extracurricular activities and helped with FHA, the Littlefield FFA ("The Fried Pie Lady"), Cub Scouts, and Girl Scouts, to name a few. In later years, she would do the same for her grandchildren, serving again in different roles. Mary Alice was also a certified nurse aide and served her community at Lamb Healthcare Center until her retirement in 2017. She was often referred to as "Granny Mary" by kids in the community as she supported, listened and helped them with projects.
Mary Alice is preceded in death by her parents; a brother, Angus Roy Hawks; her husband, Donald Wayne Cowen; and a son, Billy Don Cowen.
She is survived by her sisters, Nedra Barnes of Austin, Texas, and Bobbie Davis and husband, Jerry of Grandbury, Texas; a sister-in-law, Nita Short, of Littlefield, Texas; a daughter, Marilyn Dargitz, and husband, David of Mechanicsville, Virginia; a son, Jerry and wife, Roan of Lubbock, Texas; four grandchildren: Andy Hamill of Durham, North Carolina, Bennett Cowen and wife, Tiffany of San Antonio, Texas. Tabitha Duzan and husband, Nolan of Lubbock Texas, and Clayton Cowen of Lubbock, Texas; and several nieces and nephews that she loved.
Mary Alice also had four great-grandchildren: Charlie and Crosby Cowen, Harvey, and Tallulah Duzan.
Memorial Services to celebrate the life of Mary Alice were held at 2:00 p.m., Tuesday, October 21, 2025 at Hillcrest Funeral Home with Eric Dickey officiating. Pallbearers were Andy Hamill, Bennett Cowen, Clayton Cowen, Nolan Duzan, Mikey Dalton, and Adam Padilla and nephews as honorary pallbearers. Instead of flowers, the family suggests memorials be made to the Alzheimer's Association of America https:/ /alzfdn.org, Lewy Body Research https:// www.dementiasociety.com, or Hospice of Lubbock https:// www.compassus.com. Interment was at Littlefield Memorial Park under the personal care of Hillcrest Funeral Home.