Josie Cowart

Josie M. "Mama" Cowart, 85, of Bainbridge, GA, passed away Monday, May 20, 2019. The funeral service will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, May 25, 2019 at Ivey Funeral Home Chapel with Pastor Charles Bostick, Rev. Tim Dean and Mr. David Benjamin officiating.  Interment will follow at Roselawn Memory Gardens with George Battensby, Max Battensby, Lee Boyett, David Benjamin, Charlie Miller and Steve Harrell serving as active pallbearers. The family will receive friends from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. on Friday, May 24, 2019 at Ivey Funeral Home. Online visitors may sign the guest register at www.iveyfuneral.com . Josie Maude Dean was born October 29, 1933 in Colquitt, GA, the daughter of Charlie and Nanny Dean. She married Garney Raymond Cowart, who preceded her in death. She was a member of Solid Rock Church. Known affectionately as "Mama", Josie took her role as homemaker very seriously. She delighted in being a mother and grandmother. She loved her family unconditionally and worked hard every day making her home a place where family and friends made memories. "Mama" was a great cook and her red velvet cake was a favorite dessert shared many times at her table. Survivors include her daughter, Pam Benjamin and her husband, David, of Bainbridge; her siblings, Charlie Dean, Jr. of Dublin, GA and Clara & Clifford Martin of Winter Park, FL; her grandchildren, Angela Cowart and Stephanie Simmons; and several great-grandchildren. In addition to her parents and her husband, Josie was preceded in death by her daughter, Patsy Gail Simmons; her siblings, Samuel Dean, Milton Dean, Billy Dean, Pearl Bean, and Betty Bruce; her grandson, Roger Lee Cowart; and her great-great-grandson, Brayden Cox.