Meredith Leigh Wells Cowart passed away peacefully in her home on Easter Sunday, April 5, 2026 with her beloved husband of 57 years by her side. She was born in Chicago, Illinois on September 9th, 1948 and has been loved by all ever since.

As the only daughter and middle child of Henry Eugene Wells II and Jeanne Tuchlinski Wells, she was adored by her older brother Hank and her younger brother Jon. When she was eight years old her family moved to Mobile, Alabama where she attended Kate Shepherd Elementary, Azalea Road Middle, and was in the first graduating class of Davidson High School in 1966. She attended college at Mississippi State College for Women where she studied art, sang in the choir, and enjoyed her social club.

While in college she went on a blind date with Jimmy Cowart in the spring of 1968. They were married soon after and started their family in Mobile, AL. Merry became an Army wife and supported Jim through his training as an Army Aviator and deployment to Vietnam. Her faithful and dedicated service as a military spouse continued through multiple assignments to Ft. Rucker, Alabama and two tours in Germany. In all of Jim's years as an Army pilot, he never left for an early morning call on the flight line without a hot breakfast, due to Merry's diligence in providing for the needs of her family.

Merry and Jim's conversion to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints began in Enterprise, Alabama in the Spring of 1972 when two missionaries found and taught them about the Restored Gospel. Merry recognized the truth in what she was being taught right away. Jim wasn't so sure but listened to the Elders anyway because of his love for Merry. They were baptized on August 12, 1972 and sealed together and to their children in the Manti, UT temple in June of 1974.

Merry's role as a mother became the greatest joy of her life. Her six children were blessed by her talents in music, sewing, homemaking, art, teaching, and gathering people. Sunday dinners were often served in courses on fine china in an effort to teach etiquette and manners. It was important to her to teach her children about the beautiful things of the world, both secular and spiritual. Music was always abundant in her home and she could always be found working happily, singing or humming a happy tune. Equal to her love of music was her love for her Savior and for the Gospel of Jesus Christ. She loved her scriptures, memorizing passages and finding extra talks and quotes to glue into the pages. She taught her children and many other people who were blessed to learn from her to love the Savior and to emulate His life. Merry valued her membership in the church and served in many leadership roles. However, her favorite callings were primary music leader and seminary teacher. Supporting Jim in his church callings, including as a Bishop and Stake President, was a responsibility that she held dear and did willingly.

Merry was a gifted artist and filled her home with her own original artwork as well as works of classic painters. She taught her children to love those works of art, using postcards and books of classic paintings.   While raising her family, she returned to college and earned her degree in Art Education from Troy State University. She taught art at Patrick Henry Elementary in Heidelberg, Germany. Upon returning to Mobile, Alabama in 1990 she found joy in working at Books and Company and later at the Mobile Public Library where she hosted Miss Merry's story time, reading and singing for children every day. She also used her artistic talent in a thriving calligraphy business hand lettering announcements for weddings and other social events in Mobile. Throughout her personal and professional life she brought joy to all through music, art and her love of books.

Merry's husband, 6 children, 17 grandchildren and 9 (soon to be 10) great-grandchildren are the absolute joy of her life.  She was "Mom" to 6 but Mimi to her grandchildren, great-grandchildren, neighbors, and many more. Her swimming pool and fridge full of popsicles were opened to all. Memories of Mimi include time spent in her art room doing crafts, putting together jigsaw puzzles, sing-alongs as she played her guitar, storytime complete with puppets, planting and tending her beautiful garden, all the popsicles, movie dates with large buttered popcorn, special musical numbers in church, singing to the newborn babies, birthday phone calls with the birthday song, Sunday dinners, and most especially Chick-Fil-A dates for an Ice Dream cone. Mimi enthusiastically supported her grandchildren at bike races, football games, choir concerts, track meets, soccer games, lacrosse games and many activities in person when possible and in spirit when necessary. She loved the weddings, baby blessings, graduations, and all the milestones honoring her favorite people.

Following her Alzheimer's diagnosis, Merry and Jim relocated to Utah, joining many friends and loved ones. Although her cognitive and physical health declined, she was still the same Merry, smiling and singing, surrounded in love and tender support. Merry was preceded in death by her mother, father, and grandson, Christopher Vass.

She is survived by her dear husband, James Cowart, brothers Hank Wells and Jon Wells, daughters Stacey Vass, Lynne (Richard) Benham and Annie (Bryan) Emmertson, sons Dave Cowart, Josh (Amanda) Cowart and Jacob Cowart, granddaughters Ashli (Jacob) Riggle, Riley (Jake) Stevenson, Taylor (Braeden) McKee, Payton Emmertson, Hayden Emmertson, Emily Cowart, and Julia Cowart, grandsons Andrew Vass, Trent (Lily) Benham, Tyler (Mickayla) Vass, Justin Vass, Brant (Maggie) Benham, Noah Newton, Lance Benham, Gavin Benham, and Grant Cowart, and great-grandchildren Teddy Riggle, Sophie Stevenson, Finnley Essex, Ford McKee, Caroline Stevenson, Maizie Vass, Blake Benham, Barrett Riggle and Halle Benham.

Merry's family would like to express appreciation to her nurses and care workers at Active Home Health and Hospice for the compassionate care they provided in her final weeks.

Funeral arrangements are provided by Wing Mortuary in Lehi, Utah. Merry will be laid to rest in the Veteran's Cemetery at Camp Williams in Bluffdale, Utah on April 13, 2026.