Lucille Cowling

Lucille Cowling, 97, formerly of Nashville and Paris, died Saturday, Nov. 1, 2014 at Twin Rivers Nursing and Rehab in Arkadelphia, Ark. The eldest of eight children born to David M. and Sarah Tennie Maroon Castleman, she was preceded in death by her parents; brothers, LC, D.M. Jr. and Herbert; sister, Mary Frances Jenkens; and her husband, Dana D. Cowling. She is survived by brothers, John A. and wife, Delsie of Nashville and Michael and wife, Janet of North Little Rock, Ark.; sister, Betty Hood and husband, Bob of Arkadelphia; sister-in-law, Jessie Castleman of Dallas; numerous nieces and nephews and one cousin, Pauline Dodson of Nash, Texas. Lucille graduated from Mineral Springs High School in 1935 and married Dana D. Cowling in 1938. From their marriage until his death in 1979, they lived in Harlingen, Texas, the Cowling family farm southeast of Mineral Springs, Pittsburg, Calif. and eventually settled in Paris, Ark. in 1959. Over the next 20 years in Paris, they owned and operated two fast food restaurants as well as the fabric center and a farm on Mt. Magazine, where they raised Black Angus cows. Following her husband's death, she moved to Nashville, Ark. to be near family. A devoted wife, daughter and sister, Lucille derived great joy from helping others. Having no children of her own, she became a mother figure to her younger brothers and sisters, helping care for them as they grew up. At some point in their lives, all except one lived with her for a short period of time. She lovingly cared for her husband, as well as her mother and younger brother during their final years. A faithful and devout Christian, she was active in churches wherever she lived. She enjoyed the study of the Bible and shared her knowledge by teaching Sunday School classes well into her late 80s. A member of the First Baptist Church of Nashville, she dearly loved her church family. They, in turn, returned her love by remembering her with visits, cards and letters before and after her move to Arkadelphia. A visit or a card from one of them always elevated her spirits and brought about a lot of reminiscing. Her family wishes to express gratitude to the CNAs and nurses at Twin Rivers Rehab and Nursing and the Plaza at Twin Rivers in Arkadelphia, as well as Mine Creek Nursing and Rehab in Nashville, for the loving care she received while a resident of those facilities. Services will be on Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2014 at 11 a.m. in the First Baptist Church in Nashville, with Bro. David Blase officiating. Visitation will be from 10 to 11 a.m. at the church before the service. Burial to follow in Restland Memorial Park under the direction of Latimer Funeral Home, Nashville. At her request, memorials should be made to First Baptist Church of Nashville, AR or the Sardis Cemetery Fund in care of Dildy Reed; 7160 Hwy 278W; Nashville, AR 71852. You may send an online sympathy message at www.latimerfuneralhome.com.