To request a copy of this photo for your own personal use, please contact our state coordinator. If you are not a family member or the original photographer — please refrain from copying or distributing this photo to other websites.
Thank you for visiting the Texas Gravestone Photo Project. On this site you can upload gravestone photos, locate ancestors and perform genealogy research. If you have a relative buried in Texas, we encourage you to upload a digital image using our Submit a Photo page. Contributing to this genealogy archive helps family historians and genealogy researchers locate their relatives and complete their family tree.
Submitted: 12/29/22 • Approved: 12/30/22 • Last Updated: 1/2/23 • R553652-G553652-S3
US Army
World War II
February 13, 1925-August 14, 2018
*Obituary
Betty Wright Cowley, a World War II veteran, was born in West Lafayette, Indiana on Feb. 13, 1925. She died in her Garland, Texas, home Aug. 14, 2018, surrounded by her family members and with hospice at her side. Graveside service will be at 11a.m. Saturday, Aug. 25, 2018, at Trinity Memorial Park Peace Chapel with Doug Shelley, pastor of East Side Baptist Church, officiating.
Born to Alvin Wright and Rebecca (McCormick) Wright, Betty grew up on the family farm in Illinois with her three sisters and two brothers. After graduating from Stocklin High School, she went to work at the local aluminum factory that produced materials for war planes. She was eager to serve her country and joined the Women's Army Corp as surgical technician during World War II. She cared for injured soldiers and sailors in Georgia before being transferred to Texas.
While serving in the Army, she met the love of her life, Sgt. Kenneth C. Cowley. Betty and Kenneth married in 1946 and lived in Colorado and Missouri before settling in the West Texas oil patch of Forsan. Together with their late son Robert (Bobby) Cowley, they established a roustabout and piping company. Betty was central to managing the office. Betty also worked at the Big Spring State Hospital as a nurse supervisor, and in her later life as the Big Spring High School snack bar where she retired at the age 79, a testament to her work ethic and dignity.
Betty belonged to the Forsan Baptist Church, was a person of strong Christian faith and joyfully shared it with her family. She was also known for her bowling ability and loved playing games, such as tennis, with her grandsons. She always cherished the time she had with her grandchildren.
Betty was preceded in death by her parents Alvin Wright and Rebecca (McCormick) Wright, husband Kenneth Cowley, son Bobby Cowley, sisters Rosella Brown and Lucille Evans, and brother Ernest Wright. She is survived by her brother Frank Wright of Garland, Texas, and sister Annetta Allen of Watseka, Illinois.
Betty was known as Mema to her grandsons Lance Cowley, Derek Cowley and Casey Cowley; granddaughters Kym Elizondo-Cowley and Kaci Workman Cowley. Her great grandchildren Avery Cowley, Olivia Cowley, Cam Cowley, Kye Cowley, Brighton Wilson, Jillian Wilson and Bonham Wilson were the lights of her life. Aunt Betty was also common to hear. Her nieces and nephews adored her, including Donna Hagar Sanders, Suzy Hagar, Marty Walter, Todd Thompson, Jimmy Ann Hagar Thompson, Brenda Cowley, Steve Cowley, and Karen Wright Tillman. Betty also has many great nephews and nieces. Her legacy carries on through her loving family.
The family suggests memorials to the Army Women's Foundation.
Numbers 6:24-26 (NIV): "The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace."
Published by Big Spring Herald from Aug. 23 to Aug. 24, 2018. https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/bigspringherald/name/betty-cowley-obituary?id=10692948\
Contributed on 12/29/22 by neldapat
Email This Contributor
Suggest a Correction
Record #: 553652