August 13, 1949 – May 30, 2021
Dr. Winston Clay McCowan Sr, was born on August 13, 1949, to Leon R. McCowan Sr, and Rubye Holt McCowan Bryant. Winston (affectionately called Bubba, Dr. Bubba, Daddy “M” and Grandaddy) accepted Christ at an early age, and was baptized at St. Paul United Methodist Church, in Jefferson Texas.
Dr. Winston McCowan Sr. attended East Texas State University, in Commerce Texas. While attending school in Commerce, he meets the Love of his Life LaWanda Harrison and they were Married on February 14, 1970, to this union LaRisa, LaNetra, and Winston Jr, were born. Winston and LaWanda loved (loves) their children unconditionally and instilled in them the principles of success: integrity, honesty, responsibility, hard work, kindness, and compassion, determination and tenacity- and most importantly of all – a deep and abiding faith in God. They taught them how to cherish family, friendship and to value education. They supported their goals and aspirations in life, praising them in their achievements and encouraging them in their difficult seasons. He was a beloved, husband, father, brother, and uncle who adored his 8 grandchildren, 1 great grandson and was devoted to his family.
Dr. Winston McCowan graduated from Central High School, Jefferson, Texas in 1967, where he was the class president, student council president, chemistry club president, newspaper editor, captain of the football, basketball team and track team. Dr. Winston McCowan was a National Merit Scholar and the Valedictorian of his class. He attended East Texas State University, Commerce Texas, were he graduated with a BS degree in Biology and Chemistry, in 1970, he graduated with his master’s degree in Biology in 1971, and his Ed Doctorial degree in Secondary Higher Education in 1980.
Dr. McCowan’s journey in Education continued with his first teaching job in Eagle Lake, Texas where he was Head of the Science Department at Rice CISD from 1971-75, from there he moved on to Trinity Valley Community College in Athens Texas where he taught Zoology, Botany, Microbiology and Anatomy and Physiology from 1975-1985. Northeast Texas Community College would be his Educational pitstop from 1985-2018, he retired from there in December of 2018.
While Dr. McCowan was educating the masses, he was also leading Souls to Christ in the Ministry at the following Churches in the North District United Methodist Church spanning over 36 years in the Ministry.
North Ave UMC- Pittsburg, Texas, Lewis Chapel UMC- Lodi, Texas, Logan Chapel UMC- Smithland. Texas, Gethsemane UMC-Smithland, Texas, and St. Paul UMC, Jefferson, Texas, which is the church he grew up in.
Dr. Winston McCowan Sr was proceeded in death by his mother Rubye McCowan Bryant; his father’s Leon R. McCowan Sr, and Auttie Bryant; and brother; Harry Jolley. He leaves to cherish his memories: his wife of 51 years LaWanda Harrison McCowan; daughters LaRisa McCowan-Kelly (Torio), LaNetra McCowan-Fuller
(Marion), son, Dr. Winston McCowan Jr. (Lindsay); 8 grandchildren, LaWren McCowan, CJ Cannon, Jeremiah McCowan-Kelly, Chaya Fuller, Landon Fuller. Noah McCowan, Joshua Fuller, and Brianna McCowan and 1 great grandson; Jaxson McCowan-Dennis. Siblings; Leon R. McCowan Jr, and Auttia Bryant. A host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives, good friends, his Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc brotherhood, and his beloved Methodist Church Family.
Funeral Services for Rev. Dr. Winston McCowan Sr., 71, of Mt. Pleasant, TX are scheduled for Friday, June 4, 2021 at 2:00 pm at The Mt. Pleasant Civic Center.
Dr. Winston McCowan Sr. Will lie in Repose from 10:00-12:00 on Friday June 4th at the Mount Pleasant Civic Center 1800 N. Jefferson Avenue for public viewing. The Omega Psi Phi Ceremony (Private) will take place at 1:00 pm. The funeral service will start at 2:00 pm. There will not be a formal visitation.
Flowers may be sent to Lewis and Walker Funeral Jefferson Texas, 603 Texas Highway 49 West, Jefferson, TX 75657 any questions text or call LaRisa McCowan-Kelly 469-245-7641