Florence Cowherd

Funeral services for Seminole resident, Florence Cowherd are scheduled for 2:00 p.m., Wednesday, January 16, 2008, at the Swearingen Funeral Home Chapel, Seminole, Oklahoma with Rev. Glen Pence officiating. rn rnGraveside services will be held immediately following the service at the Wetumka, Oklahoma Cemetery.rnrnMrs. Cowherd went to be with her Lord and Savior on Sunday, January 13, 2008, at the age of 90. She was born February 20, 1917, in Deer, Arkansas to Claude and Julia Pruitt.rnrnAt the age of 18, she married Delbert McElyea and was married until his untimely death due to an oil field accident in August 1962. They were married for 27 years and had one son, Paul Dean McElyea who preceded them in death in December 1935 at 11 months of age.rnrnOn January 17, 1969, she married Leonard Cowherd. During 35 years of their loving marriage, they resided in various places in Oklahoma: Washita, Anadarko, Claremore, Wetumka, and Seminole. Leonard?s three children became hers. They are Mary Lou Mannschreck, Bartlesville, Betty Cussen, Broken Arrow, and Harold Cowherd of Memphis.rnrnFlorence and Leonard enjoyed their retirement years by caring for her mother, Julia Pruitt until her passing in 1986. They also enjoyed traveling in their RV, bowling, golfing and gardening. They both sang in the church choir. Florence enjoyed crocheting, ceramics, but most of all her extended family. Florence will always be remembered for her quick wit, loving nature, and generosity to all.rnrnShe was preceded in death by her father, Claude Pruitt; mother, Julia Pruitt; son Paul Dean McElyea; four siblings, Claude Jr.; Flossie; Lonnie; Lewell; and her husband of 27 years, Delbert McElyea; and her husband of 35 years, Leonard Cowherd.rnrnShe is survived by daughters, Mary Lou Mannschreck; Betty Cussen and her husband Jim; and son, Harold Cowherd and his wife, Diane. Her surviving siblings are Madge Brinlee, Holdenville; Gladys Osborn, Wetumka; Betty Osborn and her husband Roy, Wetumka; Doug Pruitt and his wife Sylvia, Harrah. She has many nieces and nephews. Surviving grandchildren are Christy Thompson and her husband Randy of Tazewell, Va; Kyle Cussen and his wife Misti of Broken Arrow and Kimberly Hendricks of Dallas. Surviving step-grandchildren are Leanne Moffitt of Oklahoma City; Paul Moffitt of Seattle, Wade Jarlsberg and wife Cara of Norman, and Ande Jarlsberg of Norman. Surviving great- grandchildren are Carley and Addie Thompson of Tazewell, Cassie and Caia Cussen of Broken Arrow; Jase and Porter Jarlsberg of Norman, and Ewan Moffitt of Oklahoma City. rnrnPallbearers will be Kyle Cussen, Jim Cussen, Harold Cowherd, Kenneth Brinlee, Mike Osborn, and Bruce Pruitt.rnrnHonorary pallbearers will be Ronald Osborn, Dennis Osborn, Curtis Brinlee, Hartsell Brinlee, Alton Brinlee, Joe David Pruitt, Danny Pruitt, Larry Pruitt, Jerry May and Leonard Ray Pruitt.rnrnMemorial donations may be made to the First Christian Church of Seminole, Oklahoma. rn Funeral Information: February 15, 2008, 2:00 AM