November 18, 1939 – September 30, 2026
The Beaufort County Genealogical Society mourns the loss of Louise Miller Cowell, one of our charter members, who died on Wednesday, September 30, 2026, at the age of 86.
Louise was a founding member of BCGS who remained active with us since our Society was established in 1985. She was the first Treasurer of BCGS and she held that role continuously through December 31, 2009. After a brief break she returned, and she stayed on as Treasurer through 2022. In addition, she served as Book Vendor until 2025 and served the genealogical community on many projects from 1985 until her passing. Her name appears throughout this website in connection with the work she helped carry forward, and few people gave as much to the Society for as long.
Born in Beaufort County, Louise graduated from Washington High School in 1958, where she played on the girls' basketball team. She worked at Fortescue Insurance and later in accounting at Pamlico Chemical Company. She was a member of First Methodist Church, where she served in the Circle of Joy, and of the Washington Jaycees and the Bosom Buddies of Beaufort County, as well as United Daughters of Confederacy. She loved trains, reading, and traveling, and above all her family. She was married to Charles Fowler Cowell, Jr. from 1964 until his death in 2022. She is survived by her two sons, Charles Fowler Cowell III and Patrick Leslie Cowell (and wife, Kathy) of Phoenix, Arizona; her sisters, Hazel M. Winslow (and husband, Paul) of Wilson and Joyce M. Gardner of Washington as well as many nieces and nephews.
In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by her sister, Laura Jane Adams and her brother, Leslie Earl Miller, Jr.
Her passion for genealogy contributed greatly to Beaufort County researchers and the Society she helped us build continues to serve them today.
Service information: The family will receive friends from 10:00 to 11:00 AM on Tuesday, October 6, 2026, at Paul Funeral Home & Crematory in Washington. A funeral service will follow at 11:00 AM in the chapel, conducted by Rev. Ken Hall, with burial at Oakdale Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the charity of one's choice. Online condolences may be made at her full obituary at Paul Funeral Home.
Louise will be greatly missed by all of us at BCGS.