Bertie  COUNTY  NC  Obits  Rachael Ruffin Cowan

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(1930)
MRS. STARK COWAN

Mrs. Cowan was Miss Rachael Vantilla Ruffin, daughter of
the late Joseph B. Ruffin and wife, Mary Powell Ruffin.
She was born at Powellsville, August 30, 1857; being my
senior by a month and three days.  She married Stark
Smith Cowan on September 8, 1876. Mr. Cowan bore the name
of Stark B. Smith, a Windsor doctor when he was born.


I know of no family in my native county with whom I was
for a half century on terms of more cordial friendship
than I was with Mrs. Cowan's father's.  Her husband, too,
was my very dear friend.  In fact, her mother's people,
the Powells, were also my real friends.


Mr. and Mrs Cowan felled the forest and brought lands
under profitable cultivation. They erected thereon an
attractive and comfortable home.  Children were born to
them and they reared them to lives of decency, industry
and honor.  Their sons are James Stark, David Edward,
Alford Eason and William Smith.  They are active and
influential business men.


Their daughters are Mrs. Mary Elizabeth Mizell, Mrs.
Rachael Wimbrow, Mrs. Lilly Lee Stallings and Mrs. Carrie
May Taylor and Misses Nona Josephine Cowan and Rosebud
Cowan.


Twenty-eight grandchildren survive her.


She died June 18, and was laid to rest the next day.  The
funeral at historic Holly Grove Church of which she was a
life time and faithful member, was conducted by Rev. R.
B. Lineberry, assisted by Rev. Mr. Bryan.  It was my
privilege to pay tribute to her.  Her four sons and J.J.
Taylor and J.M. Stallings were active pallbearers.


The beautiful and elaborate floral pieces were borne by
her young kinsmen, C. S. Ruffin, Jr., Roy Taylor, Vernon
Cowan, Clayton Mizelle, John Cowan Stallings, Rupert Earl
Cowan, W. S. Cowan, Jr., Davis Cowan Mizell, Raymond
Cowan and Guy S. Ruffin, nephews and grandsons.


The list of honerary pallbearers embraced Paul Harmon,
Herbert Harmon, Augustus Wynns, Lee O. Wynns, Luther
Barnes, A. J. Early, Geo. Henry Powell, Watt Holloman,
George J. Newbern, Thomas W. Old of Norfolk, Va, and
Francis D. Winston.


The burial was had in the family grave yard.


I pay tribute to the high Christian character of this
splendid lady.  Her brother Dr. Joseph Ruffin is a
physician of great reputation.  He is to be Bertie's
honored representative in the next General Assembly.  he
did me the great honor years ago of naming a son Winston.


I send to my young friends my loving sympathy in this
sorrowful hour.


FRANCIS D. WINSTON.


--------(I do not have the name of the paper this was
printed in, and the date written in ink on the top just
says 1930.  The date of Rachel Vantilla Ruffin Cowan's
death was 14 June 1930.  The Alford Eason Cowan mentioned
in the article should actually be spelled Alfred Eason
Cowan.)