Ann Cowley, a true Southern woman with equal parts grace and wit, passed away on January 27, 2026, surrounded by her loved ones. She leaves behind a family who, by her example, knows how to gather well, love deeply, and laugh hard.
Born on November 26, 1943, Ann was the daughter of Myrtle Chamblin Alonzo and Reynolds Thomas Alonzo, Sr. She grew up surrounded by siblings—Reynolds Thomas Alonzo, Jr., Francis Oliver Alonzo, John Donald Alonzo, Maureen Alonzo Allen (who made Ann laugh the hardest), and Thomas Michael Alonzo (whom she affectionately called a “stinker”—though if you knew her, you know she used a different word, as her mouth could get away from her on occasion, but we all know he was one of her most favorite people). Early on, she learned to hold her own and love fiercely.
At the heart of Ann’s life was her marriage to the love of her life, Charles Alfred Cowley, Jr. Married nearly 64 years, theirs was a partnership rooted in devotion to one another, deep love of family, and shared adventures.
Ann is survived by Alfred and their children, Stacey Wilcutt (Sammy), Ashley Powe (Tracey), and Charles Alfred Cowley, III; grandchildren Kate Burke (Nick), Delaney Fields (Josh), Cameron Powe, and Reynolds Powe; and seven great-grandchildren—Ann London Burke, Brinson Fields, Samantha Fields, Molly Burke, Lucy Burke, Simon Burke, and Emory Fields—each of whom lovingly called her Grandmommy.
A faithful member of Christ the King Catholic Church, Ann’s faith quietly shaped her life. Her family is grateful (for their own sakes) that her desire to become a nun with the Little Sisters of the Poor was thwarted when the Lord placed Alfred in her life during high school.
After she married, Ann worked for many years in the Gayfers shoe department before beginning a career in real estate—both perfect outlets for her love of people, interiors, and shoes. In fact, her love of a great shoe was rivaled only by her love of art.
She had a deep admiration for her father-in-law, affectionately known as Paw-Paw. Her life became a reflection of his values and the lessons he taught her in both cooking and in family. Ann once said the greatest thing she learned from Alfred’s family was the importance of sitting down for dinner together. She carried those values forward and, as the matriarch of her family, became the ultimate hostess—gathering her people at the beach, around a table, or beneath a Christmas tree. She never failed to announce her joy: “I love when we’re together like this!” Ann’s table settings were magazine-worthy, her meals delicious, her taste impeccable, and her laugh wholehearted.
As Ann & Alfred’s careers flourished, travel became central to their lives. She especially loved shopping for trinkets in Europe, seeing Broadway shows in New York, skiing in Jackson Hole, and exploring Hawaii—even though Alfred was attacked by spiders and bugs the week they visited, which she found quite amusing if we’re being honest.
She enjoyed getting dressed up, especially for Mardi Gras balls, dinners out, and theatre performances. Still, she was perhaps happiest in a beach cover-up, picking crabs for a giant pot of gumbo while laughing at her family’s antics.
Always up for cards or board games, Ann’s Scrabble prowess was unmatched, and when she played, she showed no mercy—regardless of the age or linguistic abilities of her competitors.
Her talents were many, including an uncanny ability to hold her breath far longer than seemed reasonable. She challenged family members relentlessly to breath-holding, diving, and floating contests, always drawing everyone into her competition.
While we’re doting on her, allow us to indulge in listing a few things she simply adored…
Rocking newborn babies, West Indies Salad, an excuse to wear a fur coat or a good floppy hat, dancing, classic movies, collecting art, rearranging furniture that far outweighed her, making her people feel better even if it means showing up with an unsolicited new puppy, shrimping, her Mignon Faget shell necklace, being on a boat (or at the beach, or at the bay…any water with a shoreline would do).
In her final years, Ann found contentment working in the yard, watching period films, enjoying long conversations with her family, spoiling her dog, and praying the rosary with her husband on their porch swing.
Ann Cowley lived well, loved deeply, and laughed often. In her honor, pray for her through the intercession of our Blessed Mother, gather your people for no reason at all, go to a nice dinner and order the filet, wear the pretty shoes (or buy them, if you’ve had your eye on them), say out loud to your people that you love being together, and maybe play a round of Scrabble or two—make her proud, and play that Z on a triple word score.
On February 6, 2026, there will be a Visitation at 10:00 am at Christ the King Catholic Church in Daphne, Alabama, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial held at 11:00 am.
Private internment to follow at Pine Crest Cemetery in Mobile.
In place of flowers, please consider donations to the Little Sisters of the Poor in Mobile, Alabama.
Born on November 26, 1943, Ann was the daughter of Myrtle Chamblin Alonzo and Reynolds Thomas Alonzo, Sr. She grew up surrounded by siblings—Reynolds Thomas Alonzo, Jr., Francis Oliver Alonzo, John Donald Alonzo, Maureen Alonzo Allen (who made Ann laugh the hardest), and Thomas Michael Alonzo (whom she affectionately called a “stinker”—though if you knew her, you know she used a different word, as her mouth could get away from her on occasion, but we all know he was one of her most favorite people). Early on, she learned to hold her own and love fiercely.
At the heart of Ann’s life was her marriage to the love of her life, Charles Alfred Cowley, Jr. Married nearly 64 years, theirs was a partnership rooted in devotion to one another, deep love of family, and shared adventures.
Ann is survived by Alfred and their children, Stacey Wilcutt (Sammy), Ashley Powe (Tracey), and Charles Alfred Cowley, III; grandchildren Kate Burke (Nick), Delaney Fields (Josh), Cameron Powe, and Reynolds Powe; and seven great-grandchildren—Ann London Burke, Brinson Fields, Samantha Fields, Molly Burke, Lucy Burke, Simon Burke, and Emory Fields—each of whom lovingly called her Grandmommy.
A faithful member of Christ the King Catholic Church, Ann’s faith quietly shaped her life. Her family is grateful (for their own sakes) that her desire to become a nun with the Little Sisters of the Poor was thwarted when the Lord placed Alfred in her life during high school.
After she married, Ann worked for many years in the Gayfers shoe department before beginning a career in real estate—both perfect outlets for her love of people, interiors, and shoes. In fact, her love of a great shoe was rivaled only by her love of art.
She had a deep admiration for her father-in-law, affectionately known as Paw-Paw. Her life became a reflection of his values and the lessons he taught her in both cooking and in family. Ann once said the greatest thing she learned from Alfred’s family was the importance of sitting down for dinner together. She carried those values forward and, as the matriarch of her family, became the ultimate hostess—gathering her people at the beach, around a table, or beneath a Christmas tree. She never failed to announce her joy: “I love when we’re together like this!” Ann’s table settings were magazine-worthy, her meals delicious, her taste impeccable, and her laugh wholehearted.
As Ann & Alfred’s careers flourished, travel became central to their lives. She especially loved shopping for trinkets in Europe, seeing Broadway shows in New York, skiing in Jackson Hole, and exploring Hawaii—even though Alfred was attacked by spiders and bugs the week they visited, which she found quite amusing if we’re being honest.
She enjoyed getting dressed up, especially for Mardi Gras balls, dinners out, and theatre performances. Still, she was perhaps happiest in a beach cover-up, picking crabs for a giant pot of gumbo while laughing at her family’s antics.
Always up for cards or board games, Ann’s Scrabble prowess was unmatched, and when she played, she showed no mercy—regardless of the age or linguistic abilities of her competitors.
Her talents were many, including an uncanny ability to hold her breath far longer than seemed reasonable. She challenged family members relentlessly to breath-holding, diving, and floating contests, always drawing everyone into her competition.
While we’re doting on her, allow us to indulge in listing a few things she simply adored…
Rocking newborn babies, West Indies Salad, an excuse to wear a fur coat or a good floppy hat, dancing, classic movies, collecting art, rearranging furniture that far outweighed her, making her people feel better even if it means showing up with an unsolicited new puppy, shrimping, her Mignon Faget shell necklace, being on a boat (or at the beach, or at the bay…any water with a shoreline would do).
In her final years, Ann found contentment working in the yard, watching period films, enjoying long conversations with her family, spoiling her dog, and praying the rosary with her husband on their porch swing.
Ann Cowley lived well, loved deeply, and laughed often. In her honor, pray for her through the intercession of our Blessed Mother, gather your people for no reason at all, go to a nice dinner and order the filet, wear the pretty shoes (or buy them, if you’ve had your eye on them), say out loud to your people that you love being together, and maybe play a round of Scrabble or two—make her proud, and play that Z on a triple word score.
On February 6, 2026, there will be a Visitation at 10:00 am at Christ the King Catholic Church in Daphne, Alabama, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial held at 11:00 am.
Private internment to follow at Pine Crest Cemetery in Mobile.
In place of flowers, please consider donations to the Little Sisters of the Poor in Mobile, Alabama.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Ann London Alonzo Cowley, please visit our flower store.
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