Obituary of Carol Ann Cowden ~ 2008

Transcribed by Joan S Dunn

Source: New Bern Sun Journal Feb 10 2008

Oriental lost a true friend with the passing of Carol Ann Cowden on Thursday, 
February 7, 2008. 
She was surrounded by her loving family. Carol who was loved by all and 
brought smiles to many faces with her bright sense of humor and her 
ability to turn lemons into lemonade. 
It has been said by many that her presence lights up the room.
Born in California, she was a proud member of the Native Daughters of 
California with ancestors dating back to the gold rush. Some of Carol's 
fondest childhood memories took place at "The Cabin" in Lake Tahoe, which 
was built by her beloved grandfather, whom she affectionately named "Ging."
Carol also reminisced often about her teenage years living on Lake 
Minnetonka, in Minnesota.
Her parents returned to California when she was in high school. She studied
home economics in college in preparation for what she knew early on was her
vocation in life, to be a mother and a homemaker. She excelled in both 
areas and never felt that she sacrificed a career, this was her career.
Carol was a very involved mother. She was a Cub Scout den mother, a team 
mother, a band mom, always active in her children's school, and a costumer 
extraordinaire. She was the costume designer for the Laguna Moulton 
Playhouse and Laguna Youth Repertory Theatre where she costumed everything 
from the elegance of Richard the Lion-hearted to a whimsical porcupine. 
Needless to say, her children always won the award for best costume on 
Halloween.
Carol was well known for her creativity and imagination as a craftsperson. 
Her skills flourished out of necessity as a young mother sewing clothes for
her children. This ingenuity grew into a hobby that became her passion. 
This is exemplified by her handmade dolls, teddy bears, quilts, sachets, 
knitting, and many other creations. To top it all off, Carol had a true 
flair for cooking. She took pride in the smiles first from her children, 
then from her many dinner guests savoring her culinary talents.
Carol always loved the South. She used to say, "I am a Southern belle at 
heart." She discovered Oriental while touring the United States in a motor 
home and settled in Oriental after the warm welcome she received from the 
town, led by John and Faye Bond. In Oriental she was active in The First 
Baptist Church, The Oriental Woman's Club, The Fire House Quilters, The 
Knit Wits, The Bookies, The Dance Club and the Pelican Players.
She organized and created costumes for Croaker Festival parades including 
the famous All Girl Fish Band. Every Halloween was graced with her 
unbelievably creative costumes along with the annual Oscar Night Party, 
where she reigns as winner of the most Oscars ever! Clearly she possessed a wonderful sense of humor, loved parties and most of all loved to make them special. She was truly Oriental's diva and fashionista.  She found true love and happiness when she least expected it being set up on a blind date with Bob Cowden. In gratitude they named their adopted son for the matchmaker, Alan Fang of the North. Together Carol and Bob's love and enthusiasm have touched many lives. Collectively they epitomized the spirit of Oriental.  The joys of Carol's life were her grandchildren. Carter, 10, with whom she loved to play crazy-8's; Kendall, 6, who loved when Grammy painted her nails; and Zane, 4, who shares her beautiful blonde hair and radiant smile. Angus, 3, loved making and eating chocolate chip cookies with Grammy, and Ian, 22 months, who brought Grammy many smiles as he toddled down the hall giggling, "Gwammy, Gwammy, Gwammy!"  According to Carol, her greatest accomplishment by far was the successful raising of her three children who feel she exemplified what a parent should be and 
are now carrying on that tradition of the strong family bond.
She will always be remembered for her beauty and incredible inner strength.
Carol is survived by her devoted husband, Robert Wayne Cowden of Oriental, 
N.C.; son, Cameron Fraser and his wife, Tricia; grandchildren, Carter and 
Kendall of Laguna Beach, Calif.; son, Stuart Fraser and wife, Susan; 
grandson, Zane of Solana Beach, Calif.; and daughter, Heather Fergerson, 
her husband, Jeffrey, and grandsons, Angus and Ian of Huntington, Vt.; 
mother, Ruth Smith of Post Falls, Idaho; father, Paul Hurych of Hayward, 
alif.; sister, Jane Gebers of Walnut Creek, Calif.; and sister, Elaine 
Rankin of Sedona, Ariz. Her three stepchildren include Nerissa Kreher and 
her children, Alexander and Elaina; Anthony Cowden; and Christine Street.
Visitation will be from 4 to 5 p.m. on February 9, 2008, at Bryant Funeral 
Home, Alliance, with funeral services to follow at 5 p.m., also at Bryant 
Funeral Home.
 




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