Anna Cowden Bee

Brandon, MS

On the morning of August 6, 2013, Anna Cowden Bee passed away.

Anna was born February 17, 1922, in Birmingham, Alabama. She once described her childhood at "tremendous....I had the dearest parents in the world."

As a six year old, Anna began dance lessons. After graduating from Howard College (now Samford University) in 1944, she studied dance at the New York School of Dance. Her training ultimately lead to a 55 year career as the Director of the Hinds Hi-Steppers at Hinds Community College in Raymond, MS. The Hi- Stepper community service included Easter Seals, American Cancer Society, March of Dimes and Toys for Tots. Anna was the "unofficial Mother" to thousands of young ladies who performed around the world. In 1993, Hinds named the Hi-Stepper training center "Bee Hall". Anna served as Director of the Miss Hinds Pageant at Hinds. She chaperoned nine Miss Mississippis to the Miss America Pageant, as well, including Mary Ann Mobley, who won Miss America in 1959.

Anna was predeced in death by her parents, Mr. and Mrs. P.G. Cowden, husband Alon, sister Marion, brother, Porter. She is survived by a daughter, Marty Foote and son, Alon Bee, grandchildren Allison Townsend, Blake Bee and Paige Bee, great grandson Ty Townsend. She is also survived my sister Juanita McDowell, along with many nieces and nephews.

The visitation will be Wednesday from 5-7:00pm at Wright and Ferguson Funeral Home on High Street in Jackson, MS and at 1:00pm Thursday afternoon, prior to the 2:00pm memorial service. A family burial service will be held in Birmingham, Alabama.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Anna Cowden Bee

Scholarship at Hinds Community College in Raymond, MS.

.