Winniefred Winnie Margaret Anderson Cowan

Winniefred Margaret (Douglas) "Winnie" Cowan, 92, died at Bucker Villas on January 26, 2013 after a long battle with Alzheimer's. She was born in Galveston, TX to Adolph and Winniefred (Douglas) Anderson on July 28, 1920. She was preceded in death by her parents and her brother, A. E. Anderson, Jr.; and her ex-husband: Alvin E. Cowan, Brigadier General USA, Ph.D.

Winnie was a 1942 graduate of the University of Texas, and a member of the Alpha Phi sorority.

Winnie was one of 12 founding members in 1981 of Ex-Partners Of Servicemembers for Equality (EXPOSE), vice-president from 1981-1983. Winnie and EXPOSE's first president successfully lobbied Congress to provide benefits to former military spouses who were married to a service person for 20+ years.

The family wishes to thank Winnie's many kind caregivers at Querencia for the past four+ years and most recently at Buckner Villas and to Hospice Austin.

Winnie is survived by her two children: Margie Cowan (Reston, VA) and Alvin (Penny) Cowan (Austin, TX); five grandchildren: Lara (Jeff) MacDonald (Alpharetta, GA); James (Marybeth) Reinauer (Lantana, TX), Alvin Reinauer (Key Largo, FL), Beth (Bill) Ivers (Austin, TX), and Alvin Cowan, IV (Los Angeles, CA); six great grandchildren, Ashley, Amber, and Anna MacDonald; Jamie (III), Conner, and Grant Reinauer.

Interment on the Cowan plot at Elmwood Cemetery, Birmingham, AL. Arrangements by Weed-Corley Funeral Homes (Austin, TX) and under the direction of Johns-Ridout Mortuary-Chapel (Birmingham, AL).

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests a memorial contribution to:

the Darrell K. Royal Alzheimers Research Fund (dkrfund.org), c/o The Dallas Foundation, 3963 Maple Ave #390, Dallas, TX 75219 or to the Alzheimer's Association (http://www.alz.org/join_the_cause_donate.asp), 225 N. Michigan Ave., Floor 17, Chicago, IL 60601-7633.