Mary Jeanette Cowherd

Mary Jeanette Cowherd was born Jan. 22, 1930, to Waldo and Ruth (Robbins) Eden in Monett. She passed away at Mercy Hospital in Springfield on March 27, 2021. She attended Purdy schools, where after being accelerated past 2nd grade, she was valedictorian of her class of 1947 at the age of 17. After high school she worked for Dr. O.J. Brandt in Monett.  She married Ernest E. Cowherd on May 2, 1948 at Purdy. He preceded her in death on Nov. 27, 2014.
To this union were born seven children: James E. (Gene) Cowherd (wife Barbara) of Purdy, Robert Cowherd (wife Lou) of Chillicothe, Charles Cowherd of Springfield, Don Cowherd (wife Cheri) of Billings, Dr. Jeanette Cowherd of DeSoto, Kan., John Cowherd (wife Lynne) of Mt. Vernon, and Randy Cowherd (wife Stacey) of Springfield. Also, surviving are 13 grandchildren; 18 great grandchildren, and one great-great-grandchild. Additional survivors are a brother, Jonathan Eden (wife Tammy) of Bastrop, Texas; brother in-law, Joe Hamilton of St. Louis; sister in-laws, Martha Lou Eden of Marshall and Rahel Eden of Driftwood, Texas. She was preceded in death by her parents; sister, Martha Hamilton; brothers, Dr. James Eden and Dr. David Eden and one granddaughter.
She was a longtime active member of the Cassville United Methodist Church. She served in various United Methodist Women’s groups, as a Sunday School teacher and a member of the chancel choir.  She was also a member of the Alexander McNair Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution; a charter member of the Capt. Robert Napier Chapter of the Colonial Dames and the Seventeenth Century Stukely Westcott Chapter of the Daughters of the American Colonists.  She served as Chaplain of the Capt. Robert Napier Chapter, CDXVIIC 2003-2005, and as 2nd Vice Regent from 2005 – 2007.
Visitation was held April 1, 2021 at Fohn Funeral Home, Cassville. Services were held April 2, 2021 at the Cassville United Methodist Church. Memorials may be made to the Cassville United Methodist Church building fund.