Yvonne Lee McCowen

Yvonne Lee (Neagli) McCowen, 78, of Fayetteville, Texas, passed away on Saturday, October 18, 2025.
Yvonne was born in Louisville, Kentucky on February 14, 1947, the daughter of Frank and Joan (Armes) Neagli. While attending Texas Tech in Lubbock, Texas, Yvonne went on a blind date with Bob McCowen and the rest is history. They were happily married on August 2, 1969, in the Holy Ghost Catholic Church in Bellaire, Texas.
With her husband, Bob, they were owners of Southwest Cyclery, Spring Valley Cyclery and Northwest Cyclery in Houston for over 40 years.
During a weekend trip in the Spring of 1997, they bought the Fayette House Bed & Breakfast in Fayetteville. Then they continued their entrepreneurship by starting the "Ye Ole Garage Resale Shop" and then the "Chicken Coop" with great success. Yvonne and Bob then bought their dream home in 2011; known by the locals as "The Cotton Gin House".
After retiring in 2012, Yvonne's love as of Fayetteville continued with her volunteering in the Fayetteville Quilters Club at St. Paul Lutheran Church, Second Chance in La Grange, Deputy Santa, and for the Good Old Summertime Bicycle Ride. She was President of the Chamber of Commerce of Fayetteville, and member of the City Council. Yvonne was a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church. She volunteered at both churches (St. Mary's Catholic Church and St. John the Baptist Catholic Church). Yvonne (known as "The Cookie Lady") baked 5 to 10 thousand cookies every year to giveaway at the various annual events. She loved giving back to her community of Fayetteville. To this day her Christmas village (with Christmas trees) is still being displayed at the old Fayetteville fire station.
She is survived by her husband of 56 years, Bob McCowen; two sons: James McCowen and wife, Tracy, of Cypress, Texas; Keith McCowen and wife, Martha, of Pearland, Texas; two brothers: Tom Neagli and wife, Rosemary, of Denton, Texas; Mark Neagli of Jersey Village, Texas; brother-in-law, Ray Countryman of Ft. Worth, Texas; several nephews, nieces and cousins; and many friends in Fayetteville; St. John's, St. Mary's, and St. Paul churches.
She was preceded in death by her parents.
Visitation will be held on Thursday, October 23, 2025, from 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. at Koenig-Belvill Funeral Home & Crematory, 109 E. St. Hwy 71, Ellinger, Texas. Family will receive friends from 3:00 to 6:00 p.m. A rosary will be recited at 6:00 p.m.
Funeral Services will be held at St. Mary Catholic Church, 815 St. Mary's Church Rd., Fayetteville, Texas, at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, October 24, 2025. Burial will follow at St. John's Catholic Cemetery in Fayetteville.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the St. Mary Catholic Church Endowment Fund, St. John the Baptist Catholic Church Endowment Fund or to Texas Ramp Project, c/o Frank Smith, 7270 Anders Daniels Rd., La Grange, TX 78945.
Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Koenig-Belvill Funeral Home & Cremations, 208 W. Pearl St., La Grange, Texas. Family and friends can view and sign the guestbook online at www.lagrangefunerals.com.