Coy Dean Cowden, 12-17-34—11-1-10, Cordova, TN, died of cancer in the Veterans Hospital of Memphis. Born in Batesville, AR, he also resided in Nashville and Jackson, TN as well as Memphis. He is survived by his wife, Frances Tacker Brinkley Cowden; two sisters, Winnie Lee Sisk and Ermal Berneice Stice of Batesville, AR; his mother-in law, Dorothy Tacker of Tyronza, AR; one daughter, Regina Kay Bridger, and three sons, Timothy Nelson Cowden, William Dean Cowden and Stephen Douglas Cowden all of Jackson; TN; one step daughter, Marcelle Zarshenas Nia, Memphis, TN and three step sons, Guy Brinkley, Jr., Nesbit, MS, Clayton Gene Brinkley, Collierville TN, and Charles Eugene Brinkley, Hernando, MS. He leaves 28 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his infant son, Dwight Keith Cowden; his mother Sylvia Jane Cowden and his father, Loy D. Cowden; one sister, Evelyn Eason and three brothers, Dorr Cowden, Loy Cowden Jr. and Donald Cowden.

Dean was a veteran of the Korean War, having served in the United States Air Force with 18 years of service which includes National Guard service. He graduated from Arkansas College (now Lyon College) Batesville, AR. He was a member of Colonial Park United Methodist Church and a former president of the Fidelis Sunday School Class. He was a life member of the Poetry Society of Tennessee. He retired from International House of Imports and has been working with his wife at Grandmother Earth and Life Press for the past 17 years.