Phyllis Faye (Birdsong) Cowell of Newport, Arkansas, departed this life on Thursday, May 14, 2026, in Little Rock at the age of 86. She was born April 15, 1940, in Newport, Arkansas, the daughter of R A and Geneva (Odom) Birdsong.
Mrs. Cowell graduated from Newport High School. She spent over ten years at Harding University, where she worked in the Financial Aid and Registrar’s Offices. Later, Mrs. Cowell served as the secretary for Castleberry Elementary School in Newport.
She was an avid reader who took great pleasure in writing letters to her family and friends. Mrs. Cowell was an excellent cook and enjoyed shopping for clothing and jewelry. Above all, she loved her family and cherished the time she could spend with them.
Mrs. Cowell was a long-time member of the Holden Avenue Church of Christ in Newport.
She was preceded in death by her husbands, Ross Wackerly, Floyd Lancaster, Sr., and Roy Reid Cowell; one son, Peter “Rocky” Lancaster; one brother, R A “Bugs” Birdsong, Jr.; and her parents.
Mrs. Cowell is survived by her son, Floyd “Lanny” Lancaster, Jr., and wife, Lisa, of Little Rock, Arkansas; three grandchildren, Kayla Lancaster Huffstutter and husband, Corbin, Jenna Lancaster, and Grant Lancaster, all of Little Rock; one great-grandchild, Arlo; one sister, Susie Rutledge and husband, Justin of Newport; several nieces and nephews, and a lifetime of friends.
Graveside services are at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, May 23, 2026, at Sullins Cemetery. Friends may visit at Jackson’s Newport Funeral Home on Saturday, May 23, from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m.
Arrangements by Jackson’s Newport Funeral Home.
