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Although Cantrell Cowart owned some excellent farmland, he decided early on that he didn’t want to spend all his life following a mule. He turned himself into an entrepreneur and businessman. In the 1930's he became a self-taught land surveyor. In the 1940's he opened a fertilizer business. Also in the 1940's, he created an insurance agency which he operated from his home. He raised chickens and he sold Atlanta Constitution newspaper subscriptions. Despite the time demands of his businesses, Cantrell found a way to volunteer for his church and civic organizations. He served as deacon and church clerk for Providence Baptist Church. He also served as clerk for the giant Hightower Baptist Association, the umbrella organization for Baptist churches in a multi-county area. Cantrell was an active member of the Alpharetta Masonic Lodge #235, and was a member of the local Democratic Party Executive Committee. |
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Although he was a busy man, Cantrell believed in a healthy amount of leisure for his family. A slightly envious niece, who lived next door, once said, “Not only did Uncle Cantrell not work his kids on Saturdays, he let them go to the store!” Cantrell himself found time to go into town on Saturday afternoons to catch up on the news and play dominos with his buddies. He and wife Jesse Bates occasionally hosted dances at their house. They moved the furniture out of the parlor, got the Holcombe boys to bring their fiddle and guitar, and invited the neighbors over for a night of fun and square dancing. |
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Cantrell was a bit on the serious side, especially on weather matters, yet he was quick to laugh. He had no choice, as Jesse possessed a great wit and an endearing sense of humor. She was t he spicy one in the family. Although he was anything but lazy, Cantrell Cowart did enjoy his creature comforts In the late 1940's, he obtained a forerunner of modern recliners. It looked like a single bed, was covered in leather, and had an adjustable end that allowed Cantrell to sit up or recline in various positions. When he finished work for the day, he slipped his feet into a pair of soft leather Romeo house shoes. These were bedroom slippers with a high back and stretchable sides. With his Romeos on, Cantrell headed for his “recliner.” |
He and Jesse produced five fine children, and four made it to adulthood. Retired Air Force Master Sergeant Carlos Cowart died at age 55. Three are still living. Annabell Murden lives in Decatur, Polly Gravitt lives in Cumming, and Virginia Mashburn lives in Alpharetta on land that was a part of the home-place. Cantrell died in 1961, Jesse died ten years later. They are buried in the Providence Church cemetery. |
Connie Mashburn