Betty Joyce Cowan

Betty Curbow Cowan passed away May 10.2023 in Renton, Washington. She was born in Polk County (Parksville), Tennessee, August 21, 1925 to John Bartley and Myrtle McDaris Curbow. Throughout her life, she was proud to be from Tennessee. She was raised on a farm during the depression but loved it. She did many of the farm chores and enjoyed being with her siblings. She graduated from Polk County High School in 1943 and immediately moved to Washington State at her father’s suggestion as there were “jobs for everyone”. She went to work at Boeing contributing to the war effort. She enjoyed movies and dances especially at the Triannon Ballroom.

Shortly after moving to Washington, Betty became reacquainted with Jack Cowan, a soldier stationed at Fort Lewis, who had been a boarder in her parents’ home in Tennessee. Betty and Jack married at the Methodist parsonage in Renton on November 6, 1944. To this union, two children were born, Linda Sue and John. When her children were young, Betty was a homemaker, Cub Scout leader, Girl Scout leader, Sunday school teacher and school cafeteria supervisor. She considered her children the most precious gifts and appreciated the fact that they were always there for her. She enjoyed them, loved them and treasured them always.

In 1957, Betty went to work as the secretary at Highlands Elementary. After five years, she took a job with Weisfield’s Jewelers. At age 43, she decided to go to college starting at Green River Community College and transferring to the University of Washington from whence she graduated in 1972 with a BA in education. She immediately went to work as a teacher in the Renton School District retiring in 1989. She taught at Dimmitt Middle School and Kennydale Elementary. She loved each of her students and brought a beautiful blend of enthusiasm and maturity to her classroom.

Betty was a charter member of Calvary Baptist Church in Renton and a lifelong Democrat. Betty loved to travel. Jack and she made over 50 trips “home” to Tennessee and North Carolina. In addition, Betty visited the Caribbean, Hawaii, Alaska, Canada coast to coast, Mexico and Europe. In 1978, Betty and Jack were blessed with the arrival of their first grandchild, Christine Sue Cowan, followed three years later by Jennifer Lee Cowan. Betty and Jack loved every facet of being grandparents from changing diapers, to chauffeuring to school, to road trips, Disneyland, Easter Egg hunts, baking and just hanging out. She delighted in her great and great, great grandchildren.

Betty loved people and made friends wherever she went--the neighborhood, the church, the beauty shop, the grocery store, the care facility…. Her quick wit, easy laugh, and pervasive caring will be missed by all who had the good fortune of knowing her especially her family, friends and former students.

She is survived by daughter Linda Sue (Sterling Kuhlman) son John; granddaughters: Christine Sue (Josh Beam) and Jennifer Lee (Silvestre Olguin); step granddaughters: Gail Fuller, Cheryl (John Deviny), Lisa Kuhlman and Candis Kuhlman; great grandchildren: Booker Lee and Abigail Christine Beam, Alexandre Liam Olguin and Paul Rosquita (Jacque); great, great grandchildren: Elle and Sterling Rosquita; sister Dolores Blood; and numerous beloved nieces and nephews.

Deceased family members are her beloved husband Jack; parents, John and Myrtle Curbow; brother Don Curbow wife Deryl; sister Charlene husband Ted Love; brother-in-law Durwood Blood and nieces Susan Love Miller and Joy Smith Vasko.

Services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, June 3rd, 2023 at Sunset Community Church (formerly Calvary Baptist Church) 1032 Edmonds Ave NE in Renton, followed by a reception in the fellowship hall at Sunset Community and graveside at Greenwood Memorial Cemetery.