GENTRY — The community is invited to a celebration of service to honor and recognize SSG Eric Cowin for his service to our country, his sacrifice and his return from Iraq.
The special service will be held at 12 noon on Sunday, Oct. 4, following the morning service at the First Baptist Church in Gentry. There will be a pot-luck lunch and celebration.
Eric was on his second tour of Iraq with the U.S. Army in Bagdad when his vehicle was struck by an explosively formed penetrator on June 9, 2009. He sustained an injury to his left leg that resulted in having it amputated below the knee. He was brought to the Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio, Texas, and Fort Sam Houston.
He continues to receive physical therapy at the Center for the Intrepid, next to BAMC.
Eric is married to Andria (Morris) Cowin, the daughter of Tony and Regina Morris, longtime residents of the Gentry community. He is the son of Dr. Robin and Joyce Cowin, pastor of the First Baptist Church of Gentry. The Cowin and Morris families are inviting the community to drop by after Church on Sunday to share in their celebration.
OBITUARIESElva Lenore Draper
Elva Lenore Draper, 93, of Colcord, Okla., died Sept. 26, 2009, at Quail Ridge Living Center in West Siloam Springs, Okla.
She was born Oct. 30, 1915, in Tahlequah, Okla., to Elisha and Effie Cooper Anderson. She married Daniel Draper II on July 3, 1937, near Tahlequah. She worked as the school secretary for many years at the Colcord Public Schools where her husband was superintendent. She was a long-time member of Bethel United Methodist Church.
She was preceded in death by her husband; a son, Daniel Draper Jr.; and a daughter, Marjorie Miller. She is survived by a daughter, Shirley Gard and husband Robert Zagoren of Lenox, Mass.; four grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.
Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m., Sept. 30, 2009, at Wasson Funeral Home in Siloam Springs, Ark. Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m., Oct. 1, 2009, at Wasson Funeral Home with Larry Ellis officiating. Burial will follow at Tahlequah Cemetery in Tahlequah, Okla.
SENIOR CENTER NEWSFrom Staff Reports
GENTRY - The Gentry Senior Activity Center is having a barbecue chicken dinner on Friday, Oct. 9. Serving will be from from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m.
The fundraising dinner includes chicken, baked beans, potato salad, roll, dessert and a drink for a donation of $5 for adults and $3 for children under 12. Tickets are available at the Senior Center or from one of the seniors. For more information, call 736-0378.
Hillstepper outing
An excited group of seniors, known as the Gentry Hillsteppers, traveled to Harrison Friday, Sept. 25, for a Bean Bag Baseball tournament. There were over 100 seniors there from several different counties.
Prizes were awarded to the youngest - age 52 - the oldest - age 94 - and the MVP. Door prizes were also given. A traveling trophy was awarded to the winner.
"We didn't place this year, but we are already practicing for next year," said SAC director Jackie Bader.
Those attending from Gentry were, Inez Long, Edith James, Clara Garrett, Aileen Covey, Coleen Davidson, Tommy Ingram and Jackie Bader.
For The Record, Pages 3 on 09/30/2009