Obituary of Fannie J. Cowans

Fannie Jane Cowans (nee Gilbert) was born on December 17, 1930 in Chatham, Virginia to the late Roosevelt and Nannie Bell Gilbert. Fannie was called home to be with the Lord on March 24, 2020 after many years of declining health. Fannie lived in Altavista, Virginia during her earlier years with her Aunt Essie and her Uncle Lonnie before joining her mother in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She lived in the quiet North Philadelphia neighborhood of Lambert Street with her mother and siblings. Fannie went on to attend William Penn High School. She worked at various jobs to help support her mother and her family. Fannie met Hezekiah J. “Sam” Cowans formerly of Kannapolis, North Carolina, who had moved to the same area of North Philadelphia. They dated for a while and were joined in holy matrimony on March 24, 1956. They were blessed with four children, Michael “Mike” Gilbert, Myron, Kenneth “Kenny” and Sandra ”Sandy” Johnson. Fannie was happiest when surrounded by her family. She really enjoyed preparing Sunday dinners for her children and made everyone feel welcome in her home. She said she felt blessed that the Lord allowed her to live to see her grandchildren grow into fine adults-Carl, Marlena, Marc, Kyle, Matthew, Sean and Lauren. Fannie was preceded in death by her husband, Hezekiah, also sisters, Cora Evans, Anne Wainwright and Margie Dugger to whom she had an especially close bond. Fannie is survived by her four children, seven grandchildren, two great grandchildren, several nieces and nephews and numerous other family members. She was also a friend and mother figure to many others. Lovingly submitted, The Family