Ada Ruth (Fewkes) Cowling

Ada Ruth Cowling, age 94, a resident of Rest Haven Manor of Albion passed from this life into the next on Sunday, December 20, 2020. She was born July 1, 1926 to Harvey Walker Fewkes and Mary Aletta (Roosevelt) Fewkes. Ada Ruth was raised in the home of her maternal grandparents, Elmer and Emma Roosevelt and Aunt Rena Roosevelt because her mother fell ill shortly after her birth and passed away.

Ada Ruth was united in marriage to Donald O. Cowling on July 2, 1946 at Albion First United Methodist Church. They were married 54 years and spent their entire marriage on Donald’s family farm south of Browns. Ada Ruth worked at Johnnye Manufacturing, Inc. as a young woman, was a homemaker, 4-H leader, enjoyed gardening, and she and Donald were members of the T & C pinochle club for more than fifty years. Ada Ruth was a secretary at the Albion First United Methodist Church for more than forty years. She was a lifelong member of this church and active in United Methodist Women until her health didn’t allow. Ada Ruth was completely devoted to her grandchildren. When one inquired of her health she would always answer, “fat and sassy”.

Ada Ruth is survived by two daughters, Mary (Leon) Johnson of Albion and Jan (Mark) Ankenbrandt of Mt. Carmel; Five granddaughters, Dr. Denise (Don) Roberts, Malia (Aaron) Bryan, Melissa (Jim) Harrison, Rebekka (Jonathan) Mays, Janaya (Paul) Scaletta and one grandson, Aaron Ankenbrandt; Five great grandsons, Ezekiel Roberts, Pierce and Bennett Bryan, Trace Mays, JD Harrison, and nine great granddaughters, Rachel Roberts, Brooklyn, Maggie, and Windsor Mays, Lucy and Cameron Harrison, and Holly, Valerie, and Vivian Scaletta; one sister, Nina Mann and one brother, David Fewkes.

Preceding Ada Ruth in death were her husband, Donald, parents, great granddaughter, Clemma Mays, two sisters, Lona Smith and Nola Bosecker, and one brother, Harold Fewkes.

Graveside services for Ada Ruth will be held at 11:00 am on Wednesday, December 23, 2020 at Graceland Cemetery in Albion. There will be no formal visitation. Please follow the CDC guidelines of social distancing and the wearing of masks. Memorials can be made to the Albion First United Methodist Church Memorial Fund and will be accepted at the graveside or at Nale’s Funeral Home in Albion, who are in charge of the arrangements.  Fond memories and condolences may be left for the family at www.nalesfuneralhome.com.

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