Dorothy B. Cowan

Dorothy Bell Cowan, fondly known as Dot and later as “Granny-D” was born, the third of four siblings, on January 25, 1928 in Greenville, South Carolina. As a young woman Dot was vibrant, outgoing, and fun-loving. She enjoyed learning the latest dances of her time like, The Bid Apple and the Jitterbug, from her younger brother, Albert, who was a great dancer. She was enjoying life. Then in the mid 1950's tragedy struck. Her older sister, Margaret, died of heart disease- leaving behind 5 small children ages 2,4,6,7, and 8. A decision had to be made and Dot did just that. At the tender age of 23, she took on the monumental task of raising her 5 nieces and nephews on her own. Single-handedly she worked to provide for them and did quite well, even without the advantage of an advanced education- living during an era where career opportunities of women were not a plentiful as they are today. Dot chose not to marry or have children of her own, though there were two known proposals. It was later discovered she had made the sacrifice to ensure the well-being of the children she now had, but she always found a way to make it through-successfully raising a healthy happy crew. Dot was a selfless, independent woman throughout her life. She always opened her door to the neighborhood kids who became her surrogate family. She shared with them whatever she had. Whatever rules of the house she made her own children follow also applied to their friends as well when they were in her home, and believed me- they knew it! All she had to say was, “You better get yourself together, boy. As the years went on the family grew as the children had children, and she became known as “Granny D.” And in her later life, Dot was still a trooper who fought to the end. Determined to remain independent, she lived in her own until the ripe old age of 86- flatly refusing to live with anyone. She insisted on doing her own thing-and she did with the assistance of family. God called Dot home on June 26th after having served 86 years on this earth. Dot was preceded in death by her sibling, Margaret, George, and Albert Cowan and by Brenda Cowan-the oldest of the five children she raised and care for. The celebration of her journey will be remembered by her sister's children who raised as her own- Cynthia James, Lynwood Cowan and his significant other Laverne Richardson, Ernest(Peca) Cowan and his wife Joanne Cowman, and Rennette Cowman. Also left to celebrate the journey is the generation to who she became known as “Granny D”-3 Great Nieces, Cherry Stewart-Brown and her husband Kevin Brown, Kisha Cowan and Doniell Cowan; Great/Great nieces and nephews, Michael Kitrell, Jeffrey and Markee Alston, Tyrell and Anthony Richardson, Kala Muir, and Kennedy Jones.

Tributes

Dorothy B. Cowan

January 25, 1928 - June 27, 2014