Cecile Terrell Cowling

Cecile Terrell Cowling, 89, of Springdale, Ark., and long-time resident of Hugo, Okla., passed away peacefully on June 24, 2026. She is in the loving arms of her Lord and Savior.

Cecile was born on Jan. 2, 1937 in Dallas, Texas. She graduated from Hugo High School and attended college at the University of Oklahoma and finished her degree in early childhood education at Southeastern Oklahoma State University. She married her husband, Cecil Grant Cowling, on Dec. 28, 1956. Cecile was a homemaker and moved across the country numerous times supporting her family and husband while he served in the Navy. The family settled in Hugo, where Cecile was an elementary school teacher. Cecile was a member of St. Mark’s Episcopal Church. Many people will remember the families small market called Cowling Grocery in Hugo’s downtown. The grocery store was a cornerstone of Hugo for many years. She was an avid reader, loved spending time with her grandchildren, playing bridge, walking and playing tennis. She hosted friendly matches and tournaments on their backyard tennis court. Cecile and her husband loved to travel and hitting the slot machines in Las Vegas was an annual pilgrimage.

Cecile is survived by her husband of 69 years, Cecil Cowling; her children: Mark Cowling, Michael Cowling, and Leah Weber. She has five grandchildren: Lauren Bravo, Morgan Ludwick, Jacob Cowling, Samuel Cowling and Megan Crowder and four precious great-grandchildren: Austin Stansbury, Nolan Stansbury, Owen Cecil Ludwick and Sawyer Cowling.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Cecil Morgan Terrell and Mella Belle Fannin Terrell and her sisters: Carol Burk and Mella Ponce.

A memorial service will be held at 10 a.m. Sunday, July 12, 2026 in Hugo, Okla. Communion will be at 10 a.m. at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church followed by a reception at the Parish Hall. Blessing of graveside at Mt. Olivet Cemetery will be at noon. In lieu of flowers, please direct donations to St. Mark’s Episcopal Church of Hugo, or the Circle of Life Hospice of Springdale, Ark., for their exceptional care of Cecile in her final days.

Though she is gone from our sight, she will never be gone from our hearts.