Cowan, Ruth Ozelle, age 96, departed this life on Saturday, June 8, 2013 at Tennova Health Care.  A member of First A.M.E  Zion Church, retired educator of Knox County Schools and a member of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. Preceded  in death by husband, William Grant Cowan,  her parents, two brothers and three sisters; niece Mary Florence Debro McClain and great great niece, Vicky Bobo.

Loving survivors include, son, Dmitri Grant Cowan; granddaughters, Darlene (Scott) Green of Nashville and Martina Cowan; great grandchildren, Jase and Ean Green;  nieces, Marie Louise Estell and Barbara Jean Williams; great niece , Resa Ford and children Maya and Andriana;  great great nephew, Dillard Estell of Columbus, Ohio; other great niece, Tatinytia Hughey; great nephews, Michael (Erica) and Reginald Cowan;  great-great nieces and nephews, Jade, Rayanna, Jayden, Jackson, Reginald, Jr., Markese; devoted daughter-in-law, Olivia Cowan and other relatives and friends.

Family will receive friends on Friday, June 14, 2013, from 3:00 until 4:00 pm at First A.M.E Zion Church 1900 McCalla Ave. with funeral service to follow.  Interment will be held at Highland Memorial Park on Saturday, June 15, 2013 at 12:00 pm. Services to conclude with full dove release.