By Staff
Mrs. Elizabeth “Libby” Gattis Whitfield Cowell, age 75, a resident of 309 Isabella Ave., Washington Park passed away Saturday morning April 4, 2009 surrounded by her family.
A funeral service will be held 2:00 PM Tuesday April 7, 2009 at the First United Methodist Church in Washington, officiated by Rev. Danny Allen and Associate Pastor, Rev. Susan Harrison. Burial will follow in Oakdale Cemetery. Jeff Peacock, Walter J. “Bo” Bowen, Jr., Don Wilkinson, Danny McNeill, Fred Howdy and Dan Winfield will serve as pallbearers. Shields Harvey and Maurice Cutler will serve as honorary pallbearers.
Mrs. Cowell was born February 21, 1934 in Orange County to the late Henry Adams Whitfield, Sr. and Mary Louise Gattis Whitfield. She grew up in Chapel Hill and graduated from Chapel Hill High School in 1952. Libby was a 1956 graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill where she received her teaching degree. Her first teaching position was in Cheverly, Maryland, where she taught for three years. She retired from Eastern Elementary School after a teaching career spanning almost 30 years. Libby was a member of the Crescite Book Club, Washington Park Garden Club, Better Breathers Club and the Life Styles Fitness Center. She was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Washington and the Louise Fisher Circle. She was the first woman elected to the Washington Park Town Board.
On November 21, 1956, she and Horace B. Cowell, II were wed at University United Methodist Church in Chapel Hill.
In addition to her husband, Horace, of the home, she is survived by her three children: David Whitfield Cowell and his wife, Belinda of Washington, Sallie Baxter Cowell of Raleigh and Caroline Cowell Crisp and her husband, Lee of Washington; two grandchildren: Sara Elizabeth Cowell and Ryan Vance Cowell of Washington; her brother: Henry A. Whitfield, Jr. of Durham and her sister Jeanne W. White of Hollywood, FL. In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by her sister, Susan “Louise” Murdaugh.
Libby enjoyed sewing and knitting for family and friends, was an avid reader and enjoyed spending time on the Pamlico River.
The family will receive friends from 5:00-7:00 PM Monday at Paul Funeral Home in Washington and other times at the home located at 309 Isabella Avenue, Washington Park.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be made to the Beaufort County Education Foundation, 321 Smaw Road, Washington, NC 27889, Beaufort County Hospital Foundation, Lights of Love Annual Fund, 628 East 12th Street, Washington, NC 27889, the First United Methodist Church, 304 West Second Street, Washington, NC 27889 or the charity of one’s choice.
Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting http://www.paulfuneralhome.com” www.paulfuneralhome.com
Paul Funeral Home of Washington is serving the Cowell family.