Dell Cowan

Dell Dillingham Cowan was born November 10, 1924, to Florence Harris and Oscar Lee Dillingham and departed on January 20, 2024. From the moment of her birth, she possessed supernatural audacity. She dared to say the things everyone was politely thinking to themselves and often say things no one dared to think at all.  Her unique blend of grit and grace left a wake of curious possibility surrounding her.  Her life, which spanned a century, is a testament to her ability to survive and thrive under any circumstance.  

She mastered everything she ever tried: a skilled bridge player, a champion golfer, and a successful business woman, as co-owner of Doris Jewelry Company.  She was two-time Club Champion at The Forest Country Club in Ft. Myers, Florida, where she enjoyed many years of retirement with her husband of 40 years, Paul Cowan, who preceded her in death. Dell and Paul shared magnificent adventures, travelling the world on the Queen Elizabeth II and the Concorde.

Dell was preceded in death by her only child, Linda Dell Bailey Bussart. She is survived by grand-daughters, Brittain Anne Bussart of Chattanooga and Catherine Lee Bussart (Sam Smith) of Cornersville and great-grandchildren, Mary Adella Youmans of Bloomington, Indiana, Kate Youmans of Savannah, Georgia, and Walter Smith of Cornersville. Dell was a member of the Church of Christ and will be laid to rest at Mt. Garner Cemetery in Decherd.

Memorials may be made to Marshall County Recovery Foundation, P. O. Box 1191, Lewisburg, Tennessee 37091  or the American Cancer Society.

Special thanks to the superb, devoted staff and dear friends of Village Manor, where Dell spent her last seven years.

No services are scheduled at this time. 

Bills-McGaugh & Hamilton Funeral Home & Crematory is honored to assist the family with the arrangements. Condolences may be extended online at www.billsmcgaugh.com.