Marcia Lynne Winters, perpetually 29 years old, was born in
Cherokee, Iowa on December 19, 1957. She passed away peacefully surrounded by family on April 8, 2023 in
Tulsa, Oklahoma.
Marcia was born to Delbert and Phyllis Cowley as the youngest sister to David Cowley and Janis Baney. Though born in Iowa, Marcia and the Cowley clan followed their father's ministerial calling across the country to Colorado and later, after a period of what can only be described as "raising hell"(still trying to figure out which sibling "borrowed" a car for a joyride), the family relocated to Illinois where she graduated from El Paso High School.
After completing high school, Marcia continued her schooling earning degrees in Elementary Education from Northpark College and Liberal Arts from Judson University. While in college she met her first husband, Tim Winters. They were married in her father's church in
El Paso, Illinois and subsequently moved to
Bangor, Maine to chase their dreams.
The married couple added two sons to their family while in Maine, Brandon and Justin, before they packed up their lives and moved to Tulsa, OK. There, the two added the finishing touches to their family with the births of their son Andrew and Jennifer.
After putting her career on hold to raise their children, Marcia worked part time as a pre-school teacher at Parkview Baptist Church sharing her gifts of love and encouragement with the community. After divorce, she was offered a job by a dear friend at Tulsa Eyecare Associates of South Tulsa where she would work until her illness forced her into retirement. While not a part of her life plan, she flourished there taking on an integral role within the organization.
Though she had much to be proud of, her children were her pride and joy. She always supported them the best way she knew how. From racing Andrew around the running track at LaFortune Park, exploring the outdoors all across the country with Jenny, cheering on Brandon at his many soccer competitions, and enduring Justin's music while carting him to guitar lessons, she never shied away from their interests.
In November of 2019, Marcia was diagnosed with ovarian cancer and her fight began. For 3.5 years she endured more than anyone ever should proving she was among the strongest of us. Through it all, her faith in God and concern for others never wavered. She was a personal therapist to the many who called her mom, Noni, sister, coworker, and friend. The impact of her love will be felt for generations.
Marcia is survived by her siblings Janis Baney(Ken) and David Cowley; children Brandon, Justin(Veronica), Andrew(Lauren) and Jenny Winters; grandchildren Katelyn, Penelope, and Maverick; and nephews Marcus, Collin and Brandon.
She was preceded in death by her parents Delbert and Phyllis Cowley.