Esther Lee Cowan

Esther Lee Cowan, age 83, of Versailles, passed away Tuesday, January 19, 2016, at Tipton Oak Manor in Tipton.
She was born October 20, 1932, in Independence, a daughter of Richard and Alice Ellen Adalfe Holzbaur James.
It was during trip on the OATS bus that Esther met her soul mate, William Cowan. On February 18, 1984, at the Westminster Presbyterian Church in Versailles, Esther and Bill married. He preceded her in death August 29, 2015.
She was a homemaker for most of her life. She had an eye for decorating and enjoyed providing a home that was pleasant for entertaining family and friends.
Esther was an antique collector, especially primitives. She had numerous scrapbook items, and had a keen eye for quotes and other items of inspiration. She was an accomplished quilter, making numerous items to give to family and sell at craft booths. She and Malenda were one of the first booths to provide craft items for the first Olde Tyme Apple Festival in Versailles.
Her greatest enjoyment came from spending time with Bill. They enjoyed traveling for a while but mostly enjoyed just staying home, and it was through Esther, Bill gained a family.
Survivors include three daughters, Malenda Gibson and husband Mark of Versailles; Diana Holland of Warrensburg, and Karen Miller and husband Jim of Idaho; three sisters, Yvonne Smith of Independence; Ellen Montgomery and husband Kenneth of Stover, and Shirley Dunkin and husband Donald of Versailles; a sister-in-law, Beverly James of Independence; six grandchildren, Garrett Gibson and wife Amie, Tyler Gibson and girlfriend Elizabeth Miller, Chris Holland and wife Karleen, Rebecca VanWey and husband Jeremy, Michelle Miller Lackey, and Stephen Miller and wife Terra; twelve great-grandchildren, along with nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
In addition to her husband, Esther was preceded in death by her parents and one brother, Richard James, Jr.
Private services will be held at the Glensted Cemetery in Versailles.

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