Mary Ann Cowling

Mary Ann Cowling, age 86 of Stamps, AR, passed away on Sunday, June 14, 2026, at a local health care facility.

Mary Ann was born on March 4, 1940, in Buckner, AR, to parents Doyle and Ruby Cearley. She was preceded in death by her parents, her grandparents R.R. “Dutch” and Estelle Blankinship and Willie and Ora Cearley, one brother Charles Cearley, one sister Jana Cearley Hazelwood, brother-in-law Gary Don Cowling, and her husband of 60 years, Ronald Joe Cowling.

Mary Ann graduated high school in Magnolia, AR, and Southern Arkansas University, with a masters of education degree. She taught high school in Stamps, AR as her lifelong career, beloved by thousands of students throughout the 30 years of instruction and mentoring. Her passion in life truly was her faith, and her family. Lake and camping trips, and large family get togethers created the greatest memories of our lives.

Serving God throughout her entire life, Mary Ann began learning and playing piano and organ during her junior high school years. Mary Ann played for church services for the first time at the age of 16 at the First Baptist Church of Magnolia, Arkansas. She played classical organ, and gave of her talent at her home church for several decades, culminating most of her adult years playing at the First Baptist Church, Stamps, AR. She played organ and piano for church services, weddings, funerals, until her aged hands prevented it. Mary Ann was a woman of unwavering faith, a beacon of light in our lives, and her love reflected God’s grace.

Like a “string” that holds everything together, Mary Ann balanced the demands of motherhood, family and full-time teaching, with grace and poise. Her dedication and hard work made her truly exceptional at both teaching and family. We will be forever grateful for the unparalleled affection, as she embodied the best mother, wife, grandmother, great-grandmother-a true beacon of love in our lives. In her company, we found peace, knowing that she would always be there to listen. Our Mary Ann was an irreplaceable treasure.

Mary Ann is survived by two sons, Doug Cowling of Texarkana, AR, and Lance Cowling and wife Amy of Atlanta, TX, one granddaughter Kelsey Martin and husband Tanner of Atlanta, TX, one grandson Jacob Cowling of Texarkana, AR, one great-grandson Jett Martin of Atlanta, TX, very special family members sister-in-law Theresa Cowling of Texarkana AR, Wesley Cowling of Texarkana, AR, Morgan Brown and Husband Kevin of Texarkana, AR, Chuck Cowling of Texarkana, AR, brother-in-law Charlie Hazelwood, sister-in-law Rebecca Cowling, Brent Hazelwood and family, Brittany Hazelwood and family, Clay Cook and family, Theresa Christian and family, Clifton Cearley and family, and a host of other relatives and friends whom she loved dearly.

Funeral Services will be held 11:00 am Friday, June 19, 2026, at the First Baptist Church, Stamps AR. The family will receive friends for visitation at 10:00 am Friday, June 19, one hour prior to the service, with Brother Mike Turner officiating. Burial will follow at Lakeside Cemetery in Stamps, AR, under the direction of East Funeral Home-Downtown, Texarkana, TX.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105, or First Baptist Church, Stamps, Arkansas.

The family wishes to extend heartfelt thanks to the entire staff of Cornerstone Skilled Nursing, and to the wonderful nurses of Dierksen Hospice, for their many months of excellent care.

Online tributes may be submitted to www.eastfuneralhome.com .

Revelation 21:4

And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passwd away.

2 Timothy 4:7-8

I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing.