WYNNE — Mary Cozette Beene
Vaught died peacefully March 2, 2020, with family by her side after losing her battle with leukemia.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Mary Laura Simpson Beene and Guy Marvin Beene; her brother, Guy Marvin Beene, Jr.; and her aunt, Marion Simpson Curtner. Cozette is survived by her children, Dr. Leslie Vaught Monroe and her husband, John, and Lloyd Beene (L.B.) Vaught and his wife, Jessica, all of Little Rock. She is also survived by her sister, Dr. Hannah Beene Lowder and her husband, Larry, of Little Rock and her nephew, Dr. Harrison Beene Lowder of Santa Ana, Calif., and his fiance’, Anna Ragni of Washington, D.C. She is also survived by her beloved grandchildren, William Beene Monroe, Hallie Laura Lucy Vaught and Robert Charles Beene Vaught.
Cozette was known as Cozy by her family and friends and Coco by her grandchildren. She was born in Memphis, Tenn., on Feb. 2, 1942. She spent her early life in Hughes before moving to Wynne. She attended Wynne High School and received her Associate of Arts degree from Gulf Park College for Women in Gulfport, Miss. Cozette was a 1963 graduate of the University of Arkansas where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Education and was a member of the Alpha Chi Omega sorority.
Cozette was a proud resident of Wynne. She was a teacher for 30 years with 26 of those years in the Wynne Public School System. She was an active member of the Wynne Presbyterian Church where she was a Sunday school teacher and served as a deacon and elder. Cozette was also an active member of P.E.O. Chapter CP and was an early member of the Cross County Arts Council.
Cozy never met a stranger. She enjoyed hosting countless friends and family in her home and at the family farm known as Plumnelly. She especially loved the many years of laughter, tears, and travel with her coffee group. She also attended many Gulf Park reunions where she met many alumni and rekindled old acquaintances.
Cozy was a devoted mother, grandmother, sister, and aunt. Coco spent countless hours on the golf course with William and Robbie. She took them to tournaments all over the state and was well known by many of the junior golfers and their families. Coco also loved spending time with her only granddaughter, Hallie, by taking her to lunch and going shopping. She was so proud of her nephew, Harrison, and his accomplishments in medical school and residency and was touched that he flew across the country to be with her during her last days. She always looked forward to holidays with family where she spent weeks cooking and preparing. We will all miss her food, her company, and the spark she added to any and all celebrations.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, March 14 at 1 p.m. at Wynne Presbyterian Church. The family would like to thank Dr. Grace Raja and the CARTI staff for the wonderful care they provided. We would also like to thank the compassionate staff at Hospice Home Care of Little Rock.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial to Wynne Presbyterian Church Little Sheep Day School (1735 E. Popular Ave., Wynne, Ark. 72396) or CARTI Foundation (P.O. Box 55011, Little Rock, Ark. 72215). Kernodle Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. You may sign an online guestbook at www.kernodlefh.com.