teacher, writer mrs. cowan dies

SYLVA- Mrs Mary Reynolds Cowan, 66, of 11 Cowan St., died Friday in a local hospital following a period of declining health.
She was a daughter of the late A. C. Reynolds, president of Western Carolina College from 1912 to 1920, and former superintendent of Buncombe County Public Schools, where the A. C. Reynolds High School was named in his honor.

Mrs. Cowan was a native of Hillsboro and came to Jackson County in 1912. She was a retired teacher, taught a year in Oakley School and over 20 years in the Jackson County School system. In 1954, she compiled a book "Jackson County Public Schools 1854-1954," which was published by the county board of education.

In 1960, Mrs. Cowan was selected Jackson County "Teacher of the Year" by women of the Federated Club here. The Sylva-Webster High School chapter of Future Teachers of America was named for her.

She attended Duke University and was a graduate of Western Carolina College. Active in North Carolina Education Association, she was a member of Delta Kappa Gamma, teacher's sorority, and a member of the Twentieth Century Club in Sylva.

Surviving are the mother, Mrs. A. C. Reynolds of Sylva; a son, Frank C. Cowan, and a daughter, Anne Cowan, both of the home; a brother, Dr. Thomas Reynolds of Durham; and three sisters. Mrs. Oscar G. Tandy of Arden, Mrs H. Grey Parker of Virginia Beach, Va. and Mrs. Noel Phillips of Waynesville.

Services will be held at 2:30 p. m. Sunday in First Methodist Church, where she was a member, the recording steward of the official board and member of the WSCS.

The Rev. John J. Powell will officiate and burial will be in Keener Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Dr. R. David Daniel, W. H. Crawford, Carr Hooper, Raymon Stovall Dr. Harold McGuire and Charles Pettit.

Memorials may be made to the A. C. Reynolds Scholarship Fund at Western Carolina College in lieu of flowers.

The body will remain at Moody Funeral Home until the hour of service. The family will receive friends from 7 to 9 p. m. Saturday at the funeral home.