Richard Allen 'Rickey' Cowley

Smithville – Richard Allen “Rickey” Cowley, 59, died on Thursday, September 12, 2013, at North MS Medical Center. Born on December 13, 1953, in Amory, he was the son of Jessie Doyle “Red” Cowley and Joy Grace Edwards Cowley.

Rickey was a graduate of Smithville High School, Class of 1972. On May 4, 1971, he married Martha Spruiel. Rickey worked as a shipping supervisor with ITT Fabri-Valve for 20 years and worked in the shipping department with Bryce Corporation for 5 years. He attended New Bethel Baptist Church and later attended Pearce Chapel Free Will Baptist Church. He was a Christian, and a hard-working and quiet man who liked his privacy. Rickey took great pride in his children and grandchildren, took care of his parents, and was passionate about Vietnam veterans. He enjoyed working in the garden and doing yard work; listening to music by The Doors, The Beatles, and Van Morrison; watching Jeopardy; and making his routine visits to Smithville Hardware and Country Boys.

Survivors include his wife, Martha Spruiel Cowley, Smithville; daughter, Melanie C. Lafayette (Jeremy), Amory; son, Blake Cowley (Brandi), Amory; grandchildren, Millie Grace, Tate, Thomas Jay, Will, Livi, and Luke Henry; sisters-in-law, Margaret Masengale and Joyce Finch, and brothers-in-law, Arley Masengale and Edward Finch.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his grandparents, Carroll Ray and Livia Cowley, and Sam and Ila Edwards.

Services will be held at 2 PM, Sunday, September 15 at E. E. Pickle Funeral Home with Bro. Tommy Spruiel and Bro. Van Dale Hudson officiating. Burial will follow in Friendship North Cemetery, Detroit, AL. Pallbearers will be Arley Masengale, Edward Finch, Darrell Stafford, Allen Duncan, Jeff Morgan, and Rollin Turnage. Honorary pallbearer will be Charles Cummings.

Visitation will be from 5 – 8 PM, Saturday at the funeral home.

Memorials may be given to First Friends, PO Box 117, Amory, MS 38821.

Memories and condolences may be shared with the family at eepicklefuneralhome.com.