Thelma was born on August 18, 1923 in Paris, AR. She was the youngest of 7 children born to Charles and Bessie (Shaffer) Barnett. In the early 1940’s she married William Delbert Ward. They later relocated to Oklahoma where she had two children: Ronnie Ward and William Jack Ward. Thelma worked 3 jobs for many years to help provide for her children. She worked as a babysitter, a talented seamstress, and she managed the Myriad Arena for more than 20 years before retiring in the mid 1980’s when she married Gerald Cowen.
Gerald and Thelma had many wonderful years together before his passing. They took motorcycle trips across the United States and traveled the world together. Thelma enjoyed crossword puzzles, soduko, watching Wheel of Fortune religiously. She was a wonderful grandma who taught her kids and grandkids how to yodel and she made the best shadow puppets. She also liked to dance, grow her own veggies, and entertain her friends and family, always serving her famous baked potatoes and broccoli and cheese casserole.
Thelma’s faith was the cornerstone of her life. She was a member of Brookwood Baptist for more than two decades where she volunteered in the clothes closet. She made many wonderful friends among her Brookwood church family.
Thelma Cowden was a loving mother, a proud grandma, a caring sister, and a loyal friend who will truly be missed by all who knew her. She was preceded in death by her parents, two sons: Ronnie and William “Jack” Ward; her two husband’s: William Delbert Ward and Gerald Cowen; 5 siblings, and two grandchildren: Ty Ward and Destinee Neece.
She is survived by her brother Dwight Barnett, a granddaughter Amber Ward King; two great granddaughters: Mercedes Neece, and Charity King, as well as a great grandson Chris Ward. She is also survived by her two great great grandchildren: Axel Neece and Joslin Neece.
