Erma was born January 23, 1946 in Wagoner County, Oklahoma, to Phil and Estella (Henry) Cowan. She was the youngest of eleven children. As a young child, she began her learning process at home. She received religious instruction and was taught the difference between right and wrong from her mother with whom she shared a special bond. Her formal education began in Wagoner County and continued with the family's move to Okmulgee, Oklahoma in 1955. In 1963 she graduated from Dunbar High School with honors.

She would forever remain loyal to her beloved Dunbar visiting with friends, participating on Class of '63 Reunion whenever she could. Erma would be a good and loyal friend and even though quiet and shy, she developed friendships that would last the rest of her life.

By the time she entered Junior High School, her thoughts were turning towards plans for her future. After graduating high school, she was determined to attend Oklahoma State University. She successfully put herself through school by working part time jobs during the school year and summers. After receiving her Bachelor of Science Degree in Food and Nutrition she moved to Washington, D.C. attending Howard University's Freedmen's Hospital Dietetic internship program. As was always the case with Erma, she persevered to achieve her goals.

As Erma began her career, she worked in several capacities relating to nutrition and dietetics. As a Clinical Dietician, she worked in child care nutrition at John Hopkins Hospital; as Chief of Nutrition services she worked in community health at Baltimore's Lutheran Hospital. Erma also enjoyed being an instructor in nutrition education programs and worked closely with radio, church and parent' groups.

Erma was very family oriented. She loved and honored her parents. Being the last to leave home, she stayed close and in touch. She was devoted to her siblings as she watched them as their lives developed and changed with spouses and children. Her nieces and nephews were made to feel special; sometimes a gentle pull to the side for quiet conversation about what they wanted to do or what they were doing with their lives. She enjoyed spending time with her entire family throughout her lifetime. Family birthday celebrations, holiday gatherings, summer time cookouts and barbecues became family traditions. These traditions grew larger through the years after the deaths of her parents.

The Cowan sisters continued working together as they planned and cooked for these occasions. The family gatherings grew larger to include extended family members and friends. It also seemed to have triggered in Erma deep desire to carry out one of her mother's last request of her, which was to "keep the family together". She developed a passion and curiosity to know the family genealogy of her parents.

Erma gathered a few names, dates and places her Dad had shared with her in past years.  She pursued her passion by first spending hours at several libraries, one of which was the Library of Congress in Washington D.C. researching and gathering names, dates, and places.  Thereafter, whenever she had the time she drove to different states (North Carolina, Georgia, Tennessee, Arkansas and Oklahoma) interviewing distant Cowan relations verifying and authenticating information she was gathering.  Finally, Erma with the help of her sisters, planned and created the Cowan Family Reunion.  Another aspect of her hard work was putting together ways for family members to keep in touch was "The Cowan Connection" as a way of keeping the family in touch with each other.

In 1994, August 23rd, Erma would marry her former high school sweetheart, Joe Grayson, the son of William B. and Mae Ollie Scroggins Grayson.

Erma was generous and a kind person. She was a confidante and counselor her close friends, nieces and nephews. She was always sympathetic toward the "underdog". Her favorite things were reading, learning new things, keeping up with current events, cooking for those she knew and loved. Her joys of life were home gardening and decorating, shopping and socializing with her friends and family members.

Erma gathered a few names, dates and places her Dad had shared with her in past years.  She pursued her passion by first spending hours at several libraries, one of which was the Library of Congress in Washington D.C. researching and gathering names, dates, and places.  Thereafter, whenever she had the time she drove to different states (North Carolina, Georgia, Tennessee, Arkansas and Oklahoma) interviewing distant Cowan relations verifying and authenticating information she was gathering.  Finally, Erma with the help of her sisters, planned and created the Cowan Family Reunion.  Another aspect of her hard work was putting together ways for family members to keep in touch was, "The Cowan Connection" as a way of keeping the family in touch with each other.  In 1994, August 23rd, Erma would marry her former high school sweetheart, Joe Grayson, the son of William B. and Mae Ollie Scroggins Grayson.

In recent years, Erma suffered a major illness and her health began to decline. She received medical and nursing care at local hospitals and at home. It was at her home, surrounded by loving family members and devoted caregivers she was called home by her heavenly father. She is preceded in death by her parents, 4 brothers: Johnny Lee, Roscoe, Nathaniel and Phillip Cowan, 3 sisters: Lillie P. Cowan Walker, Doretha Cowan Herndon, Darlene Cowan Tobler and Phyllis Cowan Denny.

Erma leaves in God's care, loved ones in her immediate family, and numerous relatives and close friends. She is survived by her devoted husband, Joe Grayson, Okmulgee, OK; 2 step daughters: Marsha Grayson of Dallas, TX and Cathy Freemen of Denver, Colorado. 3 sisters, Mary Lois Wiley of Stillwater, OK, Mattie L. Morton, Okmulgee, OK, Florene Hunter (Herman) of Okmulgee, OK, and 1 brother, Frank Padillow of Tulsa, OK; along with nieces and nephews whom she loved and cared for deeply.

We thank God for the precious life and the memories we are left with. May she rest in peace and be remembered with love.

A Service of Memory is scheduled Saturday, March 10, 2018 at 1:00 p.m. in St. Matthew Baptist Church, 1001 E. Chicago St., Okmulgee, OK; with interment following in Woodlawn cemetery.

Visitation will be Friday, 1:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m.

The family has been cared for by House of Winn Funeral Home, Okmulgee.