Carolyn Sue Cowden, 94, of Anderson passed away peacefully on Nov. 22, 2024.
She was born May 17, 1930, in Sullivan County, Indiana, to the late Elmo and Olon (Woodruff) Phillips.
She graduated from Dugger Union High School in 1948 and shortly after, married the love of her life, Garland Cowden. The two were married for 65 years before his passing.
For a few years, she worked as a secretary to the president of Linden State Bank. Carolyn and Garland loved to travel. They went all over the world, inculding places like Switzerland, England, South America (she even hiked Machu Picchu in high heels!), the Caribbean Islands, and every state in the United States. The two of them were also known to throw wonderful parties and loved to entertain friends and families. Carolyn found her spiritual home at St. Matthew United Methodist Church and was a faithful member for many years. She was a member of Sigma Phi Gamma and the MNO Home Ec. Club for many years and loved to spend her winters in Fruitland Park, Florida.
Carolyn loved to garden, including her beautiful rose garden and many other flowers she grew and cared for. She was well known for her canning and preserving abilities; Carolyn took great pride in having a hot, nutritious meal for her family and always enjoyed trying new recipes and expanding her children’s palates.
Her children were her pride and joy, she was extremely supportive of their activities and sporting events; She was even known to travel in snow storms to cheer them on. Most importantly, Carolyn was a wonderful wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and friend. She was selfless and always put others before herself, she will be missed by so many.
Carolyn will be dearly missed by her children, Rodney (Christine) Cowden, Jennifer (Dale) Binford, Rex (Janice) Cowden and Bryan (Kris) Cowden; grandchildren, Lucas (Allison) Cowden, Hank (Kelsey) Cowden, Melissa (Scott) Walti, Heath Knowling, Dana Levitt, Aaron (Sara) Cowden, Kyle (Christina) Cowden and Megan (Andrew) Stellwag; great-grandchildren, Jack, Emma, Sophia and Brooks Walti, Chloe and Mia Cowden, Kendall Stellwag, Marcus Levitt, Adrian Cowden and Aurelia Cowden, Archer, Huck, Isabella and Nicholas Cowden; sisters, Marilyn Stanton and Myra (Walter “Wally”) Neal; and numerous nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband of 65 years, Garland; brother James Phillips; and brother-in-law Dillard Stanton.
Cremation rites have been accorded. Carolyn’s services have been entrusted to Bozell Funeral Homes.
