Judith Joyner Cowan

Published 4:27 pm Friday, June 10, 2011

Judith Joyner Cowan, age 70, of Columbus, formerly of Burlington, N.C., passed away Sunday, June 5, 2011 at the Smith-Phayer Hospice House in Landrum.
A native of Winston-Salem, N.C., Judy was born Nov. 8, 1940, the daughter of Howard B. and Louella Moser Joyner. She was a graduate of Reynolds High School and was a retired medical office manager.
Judy was the owner of JJ’s Book Nook in Burlington, N.C., and served as a hospice volunteer with Hospice of Alamance County, N.C. She was a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Burlington and currently attended The Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd in Tryon.
A talented artist, she enjoyed a wide variety of arts and crafts, cooking, home decorating and was an avid reader. Judy was also an accomplished seamstress.
Her zest for life was evident in the ease in which she made friends in the many places she called home and was never afraid to try something new. An animal lover, Judy always had a pet that she considered a part of the family.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Jerry H. Cowan Sr. and her sister, Ann Joyner Biscoe.
Judy is survived by her sons and daughters-in-law, Steve and Teri Vermilya of Kennesaw, Ga., and Mike and Brenda Vermilya of Roxboro, N.C.; former husband, Herbert M. Vermilya Jr. of Gibsonville, N.C.; and brother and sister-in-law, Chip and Michelle Joyner of Ormond Beach, Fla. She is also survived by her grandchildren, Michael Allen Vermilya II and LCpl Brian N. Vermilya, USMC; Jennifer and Joshua C. Davis, M.D., and Brooke Elizabeth Vermilya; her great-grandchildren, Landon, Reese and Grayson Davis; special friend, Jamie Jamison of Columbus; several aunts, uncles, cousins and numerous nieces and nephews and her beloved dog, Hannah.
A memorial service will be held Saturday, June 18 at 2 p.m. at the Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd in Tryon, with the Reverend Walter L. Bryan officiating. The family will receive friends 30 minutes prior to the service at the church.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations in Judy’s memory may be made to Hospice of the Carolina Foothills, 130 Forest Glen Drive, Columbus, N.C. 28722 or to The Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd, P.O. Box 893, Tryon, N.C. 28782.