Josie M. Cowan

Josie Chaison Cowan, daughter of Alphonse Richard and Clementine Guillory, was born on November 5, 1928. Along with her younger sister Ella Bertina, Josie grew up in Beaumont, TX, and was raised by Terrance Matthew Chaison and Clementine Guillory Chaison. Josie went on to marry Dr. Isaiah Lawson, Jr. From that union, one daughter, Jo Ann Lawson, was born in 1949 in Alexandria, LA. Later she entered into marriage with Herbert Allen and Clifton Cowan, Jr. A true renaissance woman, Josie worked for years as an educator in Alexandria. Starting with a career teaching Home Economics classes for the Alexandria branch of the YWCA in the 1950's, she spent years as the organizer and MC of the Miss Black Alexandria Beauty Pageants throughout the early 1960's. That eventually led to Josie making history in the 1970's as the first African American woman to host a television show in Louisiana with her show The Jo Allen Show on KALB TV 5 in Alexandria. She hosted the show through the early 1980's, while also substitute teaching for over 15 years in the Rapides Parish public schools. Josie was an extremely creative person and loved working with her hands in her garden as well as in her kitchen. An accomplished seamstress, cook, and artist, Josie's creativity seemed boundless. She also adored her collection of over 200 decorative frogs from all over the country, which could be found throughout her home and garden. A devout Catholic her entire life, one of Josie 's proudest honors was serving as a Eucharistic Minister at St. Rita's Catholic Church in Alexandria, LA. She dedicated many years of service to her church and community. Josie entered into eternal rest on February 22, 2010, in San Antonio, TX. She was preceded in death by her parents, her sister Ella Bertina Harris, and her daughter Jo Ann Dauphin Moore. She is survived by her grandchildren Christine Lacy and William Dauphin III; great-grandchild Logan Jo Ann Lacy; grandson-in-law Gregory Lacy II; son in law Samuel E. Moore; brother-in-law John R. Harris, Sr.; nephew John R. Harris, Jr.; and numerous relatives and friends.