Belva Ora [Estes] Cowdrey

1868 - 1933

Click here for another picture of Ora Estes

Newspaper Obituary in the "Mountain Echo"

Mrs. Ora Cowdrey, widow of the late J.A. Cowdrey, passed away at the home of her son, Troy, on North Broadway in this town about six o'clock Saturday morning. For a number of years, Mrs. Cowdrey had been bothered with heart trouble, but for sometime, seemingly, she had been in good health. Friday night, when she retired, she was apparently feeling as well as usual and rested well during the night.
Saturday morning Mr. and Mrs. Cowdrey arose at the usual hour and Troy's mother also arose and dressed, but in a few minutes she remarked that she was not feeling well and believed she would lie down, and told her daughter-in-law that she need not prepare breakfast for her, and she went into her room and laid down.
Troy went out to look about the chores around the place, and when he re-entered the house ten or fifteen minutes later, his wife asked him to step into the room and see about his mother, remarking that she had not heard her move since she (l)aid down.

When Troy entered the room he found that she had passed away, seemingly without a struggle.
   To the immediate family who
knew her condition, her sudden
going away was not a surprise, but to them, as to her many friends, it was a great shock.
    Her sons, Cam and Allen, and other relatives in the town were immediately notified as were her two daughters Mrs. John Jefferson, who lives in Springfield, Mo., and Mrs. Ed Kirby, who lived in Decatur, Illinois.
   An undertaker was called and the body was prepared for burial.
    Mrs. Jefferson and her daughter, Miss Mabel, arrived at the home Saturday night, and Mrs. Kirby, accompanied by her husband, arrived about five o'clock Sunday morning, having driven all night.
    Funeral services, conducted by Rev. Chase, assisted by Rev. H. W. Jett and Rev. T. L. Wilson, were held at the Baptist Church at four o'clock Sunday evening, and interment was in the LaytonCemetery [Yellville, AR]

in the presence of a host of
sorrowing relatives and friends.
Mrs. Ora Cowdrey, nee Estes, was
born near Harrison, Ark., Oct. 4, 1868. She was married at Harrison on May 4 1887, to John Allen Cowdrey, who passed away in this town June 1, 1927.
To this union six children were born; Thurman, who died in October, 1925; Troy, Cam and Allen,and Mrs. Myrtle Jefferson, of Springfield, Mo., and Mrs. Eva Kirby of Decatur, Ill.
    In early life Mrs. Cowdrey professed faith in Christ and united with the Christian Church, in which she maintained her membership until death.
    Mrs. Cowdrey was a devoted Christian woman, a loving and affectionate mother. The beautiful floral offering was mute evidence of the high esteem in which she was held.
    I addition to her children Mrs. Cowdrey is survived by several grandchildren, her aged father, "Uncle" Ben Estes. of Harrison and several brothers and sisters.
   The Echo joins the many friends of the family in extending to them heartfelt sympathies in their sorrow.

[Note] This date of birth is believed to be incorrect as printed in "The Mountain Echo"
Correct date is: October 12, 1868

Picture taken at:
Layton Cemetery, Yellville, AR
September, 1998

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