Fannie (Moore) McCowan

Fannie Moore McCowan of North Manchester, Indiana passed away on Thursday, July 4, 2024 at Peabody Retirement Community at the blessed age of 101. Fannie was the seventh child born to the late Thomas Moore and Sallie Holley Moore on January 17, 1923 in Butler County, Alabama.

Growing up in a family where Christianity was a central focus, she joined the Mulberry Baptist Church and was baptized at age 13 by the Rev. D.B. Bennett as were her siblings. When they moved near Greenville, she and her family joined Mt. Zion Baptist Church. Fannie attended and completed grade school in Butler County. When it came time for their daughter to move on to high school the Moore’s faced a challenge. There was, at that time in Butler County, no high school open to Negroes. Fannie’s mother arranged for her and one sister to live with relatives in Crenshaw County, Alabama and continue school there. Fannie graduated from high school and started working to earn money and pay for college; each summer she attended college until she graduated from Alabama State in 1955 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Education. There she learned of the possibility to qualify to teach elementary grade school; and she qualified.

Fannie taught in public schools in Bullock, Alabama, until she took a leave of absence in order to enroll in graduate studies of social work at Michigan State University in 1960. Completing her first year, Fannie found the expense was daunting and secured a social work position with the Indiana Department of Mental Health in La Porte County, Indiana. During her third year of employment there, Fannie was offered a stipend by the Indiana Department of Mental Health to complete her social work degree. She graduated with a Master’s Degree in Social Work from Indiana University in 1965. Upon achieving her degree, Fannie accepted a job transfer to the Richmond State Hospital’s aftercare office in downtown Fort Wayne.

It was at this point in life that Fannie transferred her church affiliation from Mt. Zion Baptist Church in Alabama to the First Presbyterian Church of Fort Wayne. In that congregation, she served as Sunday School Teacher, Deacon, an Elder, member of Pastor Nominating Committees, and in other volunteer capacities within the mission of the church. She was one of the many jubilee members.

It was at First Presbyterian that Fannie married Herbert J. McCowan on February 28, 1989. Herbert preceded her in death in April 2002. They both were active in several community organizations. Their favorite may have been Habitat for Humanity. They enjoyed vacation travel. Their favorite location was Chautauqua Institute in the State of New York. They made repeated, satisfying trips to Chautauqua.

During Fannie’s extensive employment tenure with the State of Indiana, she instructed in social work for five years at Ball State University, served in administration for three years at the State Department; and was employed for three years by Allen County Child Protective Services. Fannie retired in 1989 but continued to work on a part-time basis for several local agencies including Park Center and Catholic Charities.

In 2005, Fannie relocated to the Peabody Retirement Community in North Manchester, IN. She was able to continue active membership at First Presbyterian, Fort Wayne, as long as health allowed. Peabody had a full-time pastor who provided opportunities for continuous religious enrichment and participation. She was able to continue her contacts with close friends in Fort Wayne. They visited her at Peabody on many joyous occasions.

All of Fannie’s siblings and their spouses preceded her in death: her brothers Justice and John Wesley Moore; and her sisters Annie Mae Ball, Daisy Augustus, Mary Lou Moore, Ollie James, and Agnes Hamilton. Six nephews and four nieces also preceded her in death. Fannie was able to maintain a close relationship with her nieces, Naomi Crawford, Catrina Lanum, and nephew, Sebastian James. There are numerous other nieces and nephews living in different cities and states who visited and assisted occasionally.

A visitation for Fannie will be 1:00 pm – 5:00 pm Saturday, July 13, 2024 at D.O. McComb & Sons Funeral Homes – Lakeside Park, 1140 Lake Avenue Fort Wayne, IN 46805. Funeral services celebrating her life will be 10:00 am Saturday, July 20, 2024 at the Mt. Zion Baptist Church 2240 S. Mt. Zion Road, Greenville, Alabama 36037 with Dunkin & Daniel Funeral Home 812 W. Commerce St. Greenville, AL 36037 in charge of final services. She will be laid to rest in Mt. Zion Church Cemetery.

Instead of flowers, donations may be made to Mt. Zion Baptist Church, 2240 Mt. Zion Road, Greenville, AL 36037; Peabody Retirement, 400 W. Seventh Street, North Manchester, IN 46962; or First Presbyterian Church, 300 W. Wayne Street, Fort Wayne, IN 46802.

Fond memories may be shared at www.mccombandsons.com for the family.