Esther Katherine Cowgill, 88, of Slanesville, WV passed away on Sunday, September 15, 2024 at CountryHouse, Cumberland, MD.

Born on March 29, 1936in Wildcat Hollow, MD, near Cumberland, she was the daughter of the late George A. Stafford and Clementine K. (Duckworth) Stafford.

Along with her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Granville Leroy Cowgill on July 17, 2018, and a brother, Charles Edward.

She is survived by her son, David Cowgill (Marylan), daughter, Nancy Abe (Keith), all of Slanesville, WV, grandson, Kent Abe (Brittany), great-grandchildren, Charlotte and Emberlee Abe, siblings, George W. Stafford of Sykesville, MD, Joseph L. Stafford, Sara "Patty" Twigg, and Betty Brown, all of Cumberland, MD.

Esther was a 1954 graduate of Fort Hill High School. A farmer's wife, Esther was a hard worker and volunteered for everything. She was an election poll worker for over 50 years, served as an EMT for 25 years, was a 25 year member of the Ladies Auxiliary of the Paw Paw VFD, and volunteered at the Paw Paw Senior Center.  She was the first one to volunteer in the community when someone was in need and the last one to ask for help for herself. She was a member of the Red Hat Society, the EON Homemakers, and a member and Sunday School teacher at Bethel United Methodist Church.  She was a medal winner in the Senior Olympics.  Esther loved her family and community and never met a stranger.

Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, September 18, 2024 at 4:00 P.M. at Bethel United Methodist Church, Paw Paw, WV with Rita Beeman officiating. Interment will be in Bethel Cemetery, Paw Paw, WV. The family will receive friends one hour prior.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Bethel United Methodist Church, c/o Nancy Abe, 1045 Dave Moreland Rd, Paw Paw WV 25434 or CountryHouse, 15 Cumberland St, Cumberland, MD 21502.

All arrangements are being handled by McKee Funeral Home, Augusta, WV.