OBITUARY: Dakie Caldwell Cowan

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Dakie Caldwell Cowan

On December 9, 2021, Dakie Caldwell Cowan was called home in Nashville, TN, leaving behind many lives she touched with her grace and compassion.

She was born in Nashville, TN on March 4, 1925 to Jane Faringer and Harold Pendleton Caldwell.

Dakie was a graduate of Stokes School, Hillsboro High School, Ward Belmont, and the Presbyterian School of Christian Education in Richmond, VA. She taught Bible classes in the public schools of Missouri and Virginia, and she was a devoted helpmate to her husband as he served Presbyterian Church pastorates in Missouri, Virginia, and Tennessee. For several years, she was employed as support staff for the social workers at Vanderbilt Hospital.

Dakie was a member of Westminster Presbyterian Church, where she served as an elder, Sunday School teacher, and Circle leader. She was also a longtime member of the Belmont Garden Club and PEO. Always thinking of others, Dakie was an avid volunteer, delivering Meals-on-Wheels for 25 years, preparing and coordinating meals for Habitat for Humanity work days, and supporting oncology patients and their families at Vanderbilt Hospital.

Words were Dakie’s best friends, and she wrote and published a book, Annie Was a Lady, about her dear relative, cousin Annie Claybrooke Allison. She also published several devotional articles in Presbyterian magazines, and her final writing was the story of her family, Legacy of Love. Another special joy in Dakie’s life was keeping up with the accomplishments of her nieces and nephews in the Caldwell and Cowan families.

Dakie is preceded in death by her beloved husband, John Webb Cowan, and her parents, as well as her brothers, Alexander and H.P. “Buddy” Caldwell Jr., sister Jane Caldwell Harrub and son-in-law Wayne Wood.

She is survived by her five daughters: Allison Sarmo (Tim), Libby Wood, Ellen Compton, Becca Raymond (Scott), and Margaret Albert (Dave). Also surviving are Dakie’s eight cherished grandchildren, and the delight of her golden years, nine great-grandchildren.

Dakie and John’s last years were spent at Park Manor (Abe’s Garden Community), and the family wishes to express gratitude for their loving care and friendship during their residency.

A memorial service will be held at Westminster Presbyterian Church on Saturday, January 22 at 3 pm, with visitation beginning at 1:30 pm in the parlor.

Memorial gifts may be made in Dakie’s honor to Friends of Warner Parks or Martha O’Bryan Center.

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