Obituaries

Joan Virginia Darnell Cowley, 90, of Hampton, transitioned to heaven peacefully on March 13, 2026.

Joan was born in Hampton, Virginia, to John and Emma Darnell. She graduated from Hampton High School (1952) and Longwood University (1956) with a B.S. in Elementary Education. She began her teaching career as a first grade teacher at Bethel School. After staying home with her children for a number of years, she returned to teaching at Mary Atkins Christian Day School (now Hampton Christian Academy) in 1971. She taught fourth grade there for 19 years until her retirement in 1990. During her teaching years, she was a blessing to her students, parents, co-workers, and administrators. She loved her time teaching at Mary Atkins and had many wonderful memories of those days.

Joan was a devout Christian and active member of Fox Hill Road Baptist Church. She served in children’s Sunday school, vacation Bible school, and youth ministry. In her retirement years, she was an active member at Liberty Baptist Church. She loved to sing, participating in several singing groups including the Fox Hill Road Baptist Church choir, the Liberty Baptist Church Heartthrobs, and the Billy Graham Crusade choir.

Throughout her life Joan enjoyed traveling, reading, and hosting gatherings for her family and friends. Her greatest joys involved getting together with family on holidays, birthdays, and vacations in Nags Head, creating memories that would be treasured forever.

Joan was a loving wife, mother, grandparent, great-grandparent, teacher, and friend to everyone. She had a lovely smile and kind nature that drew people to her. She will be greatly missed by her family and all who knew her.

Joan was predeceased by her husband, John David Cowley, Jr.; her parents, John James Darnell, Sr., and Emma Oliver Darnell; her sisters, Peggy Darnell Stickle and Rebecca Darnell Richerson.

She is survived by her brother, John J. Darnell, Jr. (Helen); brothers-in-law, Joe Stickle and Rev. Dr. Stephen W. Richerson; her children, Karen Newman (Kirk), David Cowley (Judy), Mark Cowley (Meredith), and George Cowley (Karen); nine grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; and many nieces, nephews, and extended family.

The family would like to extend a special thank you to all of Joan’s caregivers and visitors. A special recognition is given to Pastor Nathan Cecil (Fox Hill Road Baptist Church) for his care and support for the Cowley family during the past six years.

Visitation will be held at Fox Hill Road Baptist Church at 9:00 a.m. on Monday, March 23, 2026, followed by a Celebration of Life service at 9:30 a.m. Interment will follow at Peninsula Memorial Park in Newport News. Memorial gifts can be made to Hampton Christian Academy and Fox Hill Road Baptist Church.