Keith A. Cowne

Keith Cowne, 63, passed away on Monday, March 16, at 2:00 am in his home. Cause of death was cardiac arrest. Keith was currently employed by ABM whose offices are located in Alpharetta, GA. Before working for ABM he retired as Superintendant of Madison County Schools after serving as principal at Washington-Wilkes Comprehensive High School and Jackson High School. Keith was born in Tulsa, Oklahoma, lived as a youth in Kocomo, Indiana, but called Thomasville, Georgia home. He attended high school in Thomasville and was recently inducted into the Thomas County Sports Hall of Fame. After graduating from Thomasville High School, Keith attended West Point Academy for two years. Then he received his BA and MA degrees in English as well as his M.Ed in Educational Administration from Valdosta State College. He also attended the University of Georgia where he earned his Specialist in Education.
Keith was a member of Emmanuel Episcopal Church in Athens where he served as Eucharistic Minister. He was an active member of the Rotary Club in numerous locations. He served as president in both Washington and Jackson, GA. He was also a Will Watt and a Paul Harris fellow and was awarded the W. Lee Arrendale Award in Madison County. He was also a Recognized Benefactor of Rotary International on two occasions. He was an active member of the Georgia Association of Secondary School Principals and Georgia Association of Educational Leaders for many years, serving as president of both organizations.
Survivors include his wife Ellen, sister Karen, three beloved children, BeeGee Elder, Chad Elder, and Dallas Cowne, as well as daughters-in-law LeeAnna Elder and Maggie Cowne. Grandchildren include Ellie and Madeline Elder, Quinn, Isaiah, and London Moore, and Mora Cowne.
The family will receive friends on Wednesday from 6-8 p.m at Lord & Stephens Funeral Home in Danielsville.
Funeral services will be held at Emmanuel Episcopal Church in Athens at 5 o' clock on Thursday with Father Robert Salamone officiating.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Ovarian Cancer Society at www.gaovariancancer.org/donate. Please designate Keith Cowne on the "In Memory of" tab. Donations can also be made to the child literacy program of Madison County Rotary Club.