Joann L Cowden

Jo Ann Louise Cowden, aged 84, passed away on September 20, 2024, in Midwest City, Oklahoma. She was born on July 17, 1940, in Talihina, Oklahoma to Buster Burris and Wilma Bacon. She grew up in Wright City, Oklahoma. Jo Ann completed her education at Chilocco Indian School in Newkirk, Oklahoma, graduating in 1959.

After graduating, she moved to Oklahoma City, where she met and married Donald Cowden in 1963. They moved to Midwest City and raised three children, Wilma Jane, Rae Ann, and Steve. She was a housewife while her children were in school, and later worked various jobs in the Mid-Del school system, as a cafeteria worker and substitute teacher.

Jo Ann was a full blood Choctaw/Chickasaw native American, and was proud of her heritage. She enjoyed attending Chilocco Indian School reunions and Indian church singings. She also liked bowling, attending her children’s sports events, and karaoke with her friends, later in life. Mostly, she loved spending time with her grandchildren, Benjamin Espinosa, Dara Gray, and Rachel and Rebecca Cowden.

She is survived by her daughters, Wilma Jane Burris, grandson Benjamin, greatgrandchildren Gabriella, Manessa, and Messiah; Rae Ann Cowden-Herndon, granddaughter Dara and husband Blaze, great grandchildren Colsen and Cade; and Steve and wife Julie Cowden, and granddaughters Rachel and Rebecca.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Donald Cowden, and her siblings Charlene, Wynema, Oleta, Lois, Isaac, Leon, Richard, and Buster Jr.