Ben Simon Cowin, age 77, of 1455 Cowin Road, Bear Grass, passed away at his residence on Friday, Oct. 28, 2011.

Mr. Cowin is preceded in death by his wife, Jean Phelps; parents, Clayton and Fannie Myrt Cowin; sister, Laura Mae Lilley and daughter, Cynthia Walker. Mr. Cowin is survived by brothers Henry Cowin, Rufus Cowin and Jesse Cowin; sons, Ben Sheppard and fiancée Tracey Wynne, Thomas Clayton and wife Johnna; daughter, Dana Manning and husband Ray; grandchildren, Jonathan Cowin and wife Caddie, Megan Haislip and husband Jason, Jason Cowin, Lauren Cowin and Zak Keech and Taylor Manning and Chelsie Davis; great-grandson, Judson Slade Manning.

Ben was a retired farmer and always stayed busy with his garden. His swing was always welcome to friends and family to come visit. We will all share many fond memories of “Daddy Ben” from throughout the years.

Pallbearers will be Jonathan Cowin, Jason Haislip, Jason Cowin, Taylor Manning, Paul Harrison, Robbie Moore, Jake Lilley and Zak Keech.

The family will receive friends from 6:30 p.m. until 8 p.m. tonight at Rose of Sharon Free Will Baptist Church Fellowship Hall. A graveside funeral service will be held at 4:30 p.m. Sunday at the Cowin family cemetery by the Rev. Bryant Hines.

Memorial gifts may be made to the Bear Grass Fire & Rescue Squad, 1741 Cowin Road, Williamston, NC 27892 or to The Rose of Sharon Building Fund, 8000 Bear Grass Road, Robersonville, NC 27871. Online condolences may be made to the family at www.walkerfh.net.

Walker Funeral Home of Williamston is serving the Cowin family.