of Deer, AR
September 1, 1924 - March 2, 2010
Betty Jo (Shaddox) Cowell, age 85, of Deer, Arkansas, died Tuesday, March 2, 2010, at Baptist Hospital in Little Rock, Arkansas. She was born September 1, 1924, in Western Grove, Arkansas, the daughter of Hiram and Lillian (Sullivan) Shaddox. Mrs. Cowell was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Devoe Cowell; two sons, Donnie Cowell and an infant; and a brother, Bill Shaddox.
Betty Jo was a member of the Deer Church of Christ. She graduated from Western Grove High School and received her B.S. degree from Arkansas Tech in Russellville, Arkansas. Miss Betty taught one year at Hasty and forty-two years at Deer. She taught high school math for one year and the remaining forty-one years were devoted to grade school. Many of those years she spent as the head teacher where she played an important role in helping many new teachers begin the careers she loved so much. Miss Betty touched the lives of the children of the Deer Community. She was a big supporter of her community and a huge fan of the Deer Antlers. She was a member of the Newton County Historical Society and the Deer Volunteer Fire Department. She also enjoyed hiking.
Betty Jo Cowell is survived by her son and daughter-in-law, Joe and Kim Cowell, of Deer; two grandchildren, Dustin Cowell and Emily Cowell, both of Deer; her brothers, Bob Shaddox of McKinney, Texas, Jim Shaddox of Van Buren, Missouri and Curt Shaddox of Harrison; her sister, Dorothy Paden, of Mt. Home, Arkansas; and a host of other family and dear friends throughout the community.
Visitation was Thursday, March 4, 2010, at Roller-Christeson Funeral Home.
Funeral service was Friday, March 5, 2010, at the Deer Gymnasium, with Kelly Woods officiating.
Pallbearers were Betty Jo's nephews. Honorary pallbearers are William and Lucille Burdine, Robert Heydenriech, Millard and Blanche Clayborn family, and the staff of Newton County Nursing Home.
Interment was in Crossroad Cemetery, Deer, Arkansas.
Sign Guestbook
22 Condolence(s)
Norman Seymore
Friday, August 20, 2010
My condolences go out to Betty Jo Cowell's family. I will always remember her as one of my best teachers.
Shelly Seymore
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
My condolences to Ms. Betty's family, friends and colleagues. In 1984 she was my sixth grade teacher. She was firm but kind and gave chores like watering geraniums and cleaning erasers, building our self-esteem and sense of responsibility and duty. She challenged us and encouraged us to mature in our thinking. She read great books like "The View from the Cherry Tree", and "Z is for Zechariah". I felt respected and valued as a person in her classroom. A great teacher is an often underestimated treasure and can bless and change so many lives. May God comfort you with shining memories now and in the future.
Betty Jean Carmack Sexton
Monday, March 15, 2010
Miss Betty was my third grade teacher in about 1945.
That was before she married Devoe of course. She
always had her heart in teaching, we need more like her now. Betty &Devoe were a legend in their time at
Deer. I will miss seeing and visiting with her at the
school reunions.
Veneta Shatt Ellis
Friday, March 5, 2010
I will always remember Miss Betty from grade school to high school. She was always so friendly. She told me a few times I talked to much which was so true and I can laugh about that memory today. She was a wonderful lady.
Linda Lu Burdine Lloyd
Friday, March 5, 2010
Miss Betty was my first grade teacher. She taught me how to read and write. It would be hard to count how many others she taught the same as well as good honest traits to live by.
She was so proud when I chose teaching as my profession.
It was always a joy to talk with her and listen and share stories.
She was a dear lady who will be missed by many students. I never knew anyone who didn't love her.
Beverly Vaughn
Thursday, March 4, 2010
My heart and prayers go out to Miss Betty's family.
She was my first grade teacher. I never knew until years later that she wasn't a tall woman, to me, I think I always saw her through the eyes of a six year old. She was and always will be to me a 'larger than life' figure. The world today needs more teachers like her.
My prayer for all of you that were a part of Miss Betty's life... ...that God will hold you gently in the hollow of His hands as you grieve the loss of one so very loved...
...when you lose someone you love, you gain an angel whose name you know...
God bless and keep you...
Dan & Susie Duren
Thursday, March 4, 2010
A very sweet lady.
jerri ann cox
Thursday, March 4, 2010
What a darling lady. She was such a good friend of my sister, Jackie Johnson and I love her for that. Our family will truly miss her.
God bless this family
Donna Carney
Thursday, March 4, 2010
Rest in Peace Ms. Betty. Your contribution to the students at Deer School and the community will never be forgotten.
Samantha Bolinger Zody
Thursday, March 4, 2010
Dear Family,
Please know you are in our thoughts and prayers. May GOD send peace and comfort to your heart and soul while you grieve. Her memories will remain in your heart while her soul sings praises to GOD eternally.
God bless,
The Zody Family
Terry Mitchell Hatcher
Thursday, March 4, 2010
Joe, Kim, Dustin and Emily,
I am so saddened by the passing of Mrs. Betty. I can't begin to describe the impact Mrs. Betty had on my life throughout the years I have known her. She was always there to support, encourage, smile and give a hug when you needed it.
She will be greatly missed by so many people who have enjoyed the blessing of being a part of her life. You are all in my prayers.
Teresa Lewis Grayson
Thursday, March 4, 2010
She will be missed by so many people.
Jimmy and Alice Cooper
Thursday, March 4, 2010
Betty Joe was a very special person and dear friend.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this sad time. She will be greatly missed by all who knew her.
Kaye Hunter
Thursday, March 4, 2010
A page in our book of memories,
Is gently turned today.
Miss Betty will be greatly missed. My thoughts and
prayers are with the family at this sad time.
Jerry Honey
Thursday, March 4, 2010
Curt and Family: We extend our sympathy in the loss of your sister. May the Lord bless and keep you during this difficult time.
Jerry and Bettye Honey
Ruby Henderson
Thursday, March 4, 2010
Joey &
Kim, We have many memories of Betty & Devoe. I'm so glad I got to know you & Donnie during your college years. Please feel free to come visit me any time. Betty will be missed by many, many friends. She enjoyed life to the fullness. Ruby Henderson
Vernon Robinson
Thursday, March 4, 2010
Betty will be missed by everyone she taught ,and the community .
Jamie and Kimberly Mefford
Thursday, March 4, 2010
So sorry to hear about Betty. God bless your family during your time of loss.
The Mefford Family
Norma Martin Sharp
Thursday, March 4, 2010
I want to extend my deepest sympathy to all of Betty Jo's family and friends. John 5:24.
teresa(wagler)keeton
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
i want to thank you for being a great teacher. you inspired many students. you will always be remendered fondly. rest in peace.
Delma Dickey-Casey
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
Everyones life is richer for having known Miss Betty. She was a fixture at Deer for as long as I can remember. I know that she will be missed by many. God Bless.
Harrel and Sue Curtis
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
It was a pleasure to have Betty as a teaching collegue.
She will be missed at the all school reunions.
Harrel Curtis