Rena Roddy Cowan-Bowles

Rena Belle Roddy Cowan Bowles passed away on June 12, 2016 at the age of 98. She was born on the family farm south of Amarillo, Randall County on April 11, 1918, to Alfred C. Roddy and Ollie Mutter Roddy. She attended a country school as a young girl and moved into Amarillo to live with a family, working for room and board, to attend Amarillo High School. During high school, she played tennis and graduated in May, 1935, and attended business school after graduation. On June 25, 1938, she married Maurice Floyd Cowan in her parents’ home. Three children were born in subsequent years, Jerome A. Cowan, Linda Jeanette Cowan and Neva Jane Cowan. An accident on the family farm north of New Deal, TX, claimed the life of Maurice in May, 1951. Rena worked at Methodist Hospital(now Covenant) and provided a stable life for her three young children. In 1956, Sherman and Katie Cowan (Maurice’s youngest brother) introduced Rena to Cecil Bowles. They decided to marry on Saturday morning, February 9, 1957, packed up the three kids and drove to Clovis, NM. Strings were pulled and they were married that night.

Rena and Cecil lived a full life in Lubbock, San Antonio, Buena Vista CO, Phoenix AZ, and settled back in Granbury, TX. During the intervening years, they enjoyed dancing at the Arthur Murray studio(at the back of old Lindsey Theater, Lubbock) with friends, playing bridge with many of the same friends, and traveling with still more friends. On return from the 1962 Seattle World’s Fair, they stopped in Silverton, CO. Thus began a love affair with Colorado Mountains, and Silverton in particular. They fell in love with a three story house that was for sale and bought it as a way to spend quality time with the three kids who were fast growing up. Many delightful summers were spent in the San Juan Mountains fishing, hiking and generally exploring in an old army Jeep. Rena and Cecil also enjoyed the give and take of the political scene. Rena was an avid volunteer for several statewide office holders over the years, including Jim Collins, Rick Perry, and Hank Grover(1970) and county chair for the 1984 Reagan/Bush campaign for Chafee County, CO. She was honored in the 1996 Cleo Bohls “Tribute to Women” breakfast at the GOP State Convention, and in 2001, was nominated by her McKinney TFRW club and selected by the state TFRW as one of TEN OUTSTANDING WOMEN in the Texas Federation of Republican Women. She took great pride in watching the political landscape turn from blue to SOLID RED in Texas.

Rena was preceded in death by her parents; brother, Lavern Roddy; husband Maurice in 1951; husband Cecil on March 30, 1993; and son, Jerry Cowan of Humble, TX on January 24, 2015. Rena is survived by sister, Bonnie Lurine Curb, of Modesto, CA; daughters Linda Clemmer (Alvis) of Phoenix, AZ and Neva Haney (Wallace, Jr.) of Lubbock, TX; daughter-in-law, Stacia Hicks Cowan of Humble, TX. Grandchildren surviving are Jim Cowan and Jennifer Richards (John) of Humble; Bruce (Trey) Testa III (Diane) of Flower Mound ; Adam Testa of Dallas; Chad Clemmer and Robyn Servantez (Andrew) of Phoenix. Great grandchildren are Zachary and Mia Testa, Cherish Clemmer; Andres, Castiel and Rain Servantez; and numerous cherished nieces and nephews.

Memorials may be made in her name to the charity of your choice. Online condolences on our website at www.resthavenfuneralhome.com. Arrangements under the direction of Resthaven Funeral Home & Memorial Park, Lubbock, TX.