Mabel Caroline Mcvay Cowden

Failing health and dementia had slowly taken over Mabel Caroline McVay Cowden’s life, until early Sunday Morning, August 10, 2014, when she was called home by Jesus Christ, her Lord and Savior. Now she is no longer tired, and she can walk without assistance, and converse with Jesus, and all of her loved ones, who have gone on before her. Mabel Caroline McVay Cowden was born July 14, 1920, in Buffalo, PA. She was the only daughter of Mary Elizabeth Lawrence and Ray McVay. Her parents and both of her siblings, James Ray McVay, and Louis Robert McVay, are deceased Mabel graduated from Trinity High School in 1938, and worked for the Marrow family before being hired at the Duncan Miller Glass Plant, in Washington. Her older brother, James, drove truck for John R. Cowden, from Hickory, to whom he introduced his sister. They were married by John’s brother-in-law, in the manse of the First Presbyterian Church, in Waynesburg, on January 1, 1944. After living with John’s mother, Nettie Cowden, for six months, they moved to an apartment in McDonald. In February, 1946, they moved into the newly refurbished McCarrell School House, near Hickory. From here, John ran his trucking and school bus contracting business, with Mabel’s assistance, while raising their family. In later years, as John’s health deteriorated, Mabel slowly took over managing the school bus contract. After John’s death, on June 4, 1982, she continued running the school buses until her retirement in 1999. She was well known through Hickory, and the surrounding communities. She was always helping others, and was truly a very kind, generous, loving soul. Her cooking, baking, and her “sticky buns”, in particular, were well known among all those with whom she enjoyed sharing. Mabel has always been active in the Presbyterian Church, Upper Buffalo Presbyterian Church, and then Mount Pleasant United Presbyterian Church, which merged into Hickory United Presbyterian Church, which became Hickory United Evangelical Presbyterian Church. She was a member of the Romane Russell Society, a women’s church group. She had served as Elder in the church, been a member of the Worthwhile Daughter’s Class and the Women’s Association. She also belonged to the Hickory Women’s Club, and a 500 Card Club. Surviving are three daughters, Mary E. (David G.) Anderson, of The Villages, FL; Martha L. (David R.) McCrory, of Hickory; and Margaret A. (David G.) Cowden/Seitz, of Pittston, PA; five grandchildren, Lisa Anderson Bylsma, Mark (Amy) Anderson, John D. (Adrienne) McCrory, Jennifer McCrory (James) Jackson, and James D. (Kristin) McCrory. Six great grandsons, Noah and Micah Bylsma, Jacob and Benjamin McCrory, and Eric and Ryan Jackson; and two nephews, James Ray McVay, II, and John A. McVay, of San Clarita, CA. Friends will be received on Wednesday, from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m., in the William G. Neal Funeral Homes, Ltd., 925 Allison Ave., Washington. Additional visitation will be held in the Hickory United Evangelical Presbyterian Church, 210 Main St., Hickory, on Thursday, August 14, 2014, from 10 a.m., until 12 p.m., the time of services, with Pastor Bob Shull officiating. Burial will follow in Mt. Prospect Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to The Washington Health System Foundation, 155 Wilson Ave., Washington, PA 15301, or Hickory United Evangelical Church, 210 Main St, P.O. Box 97, Hickory, PA 15340.