Iona "Tena" Jestena Cowan

Services for Iona Jestena "Tena" Cowan, 75, of Big Sandy, Texas will be Thursday at 1:00 p.m. at Croley Funeral Home in Gladewater, Texas. A graveside service will follow at Chilton Cemetery in Big Sandy, Texas all are welcome to attend. Visitation will be Wednesday, August 20, 2014 from 6-8 p.m. at Croley Funeral Home. Tena passed away on Saturday, August 16 at her home after coping with Alzheimer"s Disease for several years. She was born near Finley, Oklahoma on April 13, 1939 to parents Ed and Alice Elaine Little. Always moving, she and her family relocated to Northern California where they became next-door neighbors to her future husband"s family. She and James "Jim" Cowan eloped on September 6, 1958 and were married later that evening in Lake Tahoe. Jim recalls that they arrived late at night and the justice of the peace had to wake up two elderly neighbors to witness the official ceremony. Tena is survived by husband, Jim Cowan, son, Troy Cowan of Big Sandy; daughter and son in law, Crystal and William Gable of Longview; grand-daughter, Madison Gable of Longview; son in law, Kerry Buck Hammer of Gladewater; brothers: Edwin Little of Gridley, CA; Joe Little of Clayton, OK; Cecil Little of Clayton, OK; Vergil Little of Haileyville, OK; John Little of Graham, WA; Sam Little of Clayton, OK; and sister Berniece Hanks of Fernley, NV. Tena was preceded in death by her daughter, April Hammer; brothers: Tracy Little, Billy James Little and Thomas Little. Tena was a loving stay at home mother to all three of her children. She was a nature-lover and an amateur rock collector. She also liked to garden and spend time shopping for antiques and other collectibles. She enjoyed reading Louis L"Amour westerns and always encouraged her children to frequent the public library. Tena loved music and taught herself to play the acoustic guitar. She was a life-long Elvis fan and passed away 37 years to the day after the King. Pallbearers are Joe Little, Virgil Little, Buck Hammer, Bill Gable, Tim Kelly, and Marrell Greathouse.