Cecile Terrell Cowling's Obituary
Cecile Terrell Cowling, 89, of Springdale, Arkansas and long-time resident of Hugo, Oklahoma passed away peacefully on June 24,2026. She is in the loving arms of her Lord and Savior.
Cecile was born on January 2, 1937 in Dallas, Texas. She graduated from Hugo High School and attended college at the University of Oklahoma and finished her degree in early childhood education at Southeastern Oklahoma State University. She married her husband, Cecil Grant Cowling, on December 28, 1956. Cecile was a homemaker and moved across the country numerous times supporting her family and husband while he served in the Navy. The family settled in Hugo, OK where Cecile was an elementary school teacher. Cecile was a member of St. Mark’s Episcopal Church. Many people will remember the families small market called Cowling Grocery in Hugo’s downtown. The grocery store was a cornerstone of Hugo for many years. She was an avid reader, loved spending time with her grandchildren, playing bridge, walking and playing tennis. She hosted friendly matches and tournaments on their backyard tennis court. Cecile and her husband loved to travel and hitting the slot machines in Las Vegas was an annual pilgrimage.
Cecile is survived by her husband of 69 years, Cecil Cowling; her children Mark Cowling, Michael Cowling, and Leah Weber. She has 5 grandchildren, Lauren Bravo, Morgan Ludwick, Jacob Cowling, Samuel Cowling and Megan Crowder and 4 precious great grandchildren, Austin Stansbury, Nolan Stansbury, Owen Cecil Ludwick and Sawyer Cowling.
She is preceded in death by her parents, Cecil Morgan Terrell and Mella Belle Fannin Terrell and her sisters, Carol Burk and Mella Ponce.
A memorial service will be held on Sunday, July 12th in Hugo Oklahoma. Communion at 10:00 am at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church with graveside internment at Mount Olivet Cemetery at 11:00 am. Reception will follow at St. Mark’s Parish Hall. In lieu of flowers, please direct donations to St. Mark’s Episcopal Church of Hugo, Oklahoma or the Circle of Life Hospice of Springdale, Arkansas for their exceptional care of Cecile in her final days.
Though she is gone from our sight, she will never be gone from our hearts.
What’s your fondest memory of Cecile?
What’s a lesson you learned from Cecile?
Share a story where Cecile's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Cecile you’ll never forget.
How did Cecile make you smile?