Her parents were Saeng and Kum Kumlue. Vilai’s grandfather, the former King of Sipsongpanna, and his family were forced to flee the country in 1938 due to political unrest, when Princess Vilai was just 3 years old. Her mother carried her and trekked on foot to Thailand, where Vilai was raised. In 1967, at the age of 32, she met her beloved Joseph Cowan, whom she married less than one year later. Together, they traveled wherever Joe’s work called them, eventually landing in Virginia Beach, Virginia. It was there that they attended London Bridge Baptist Church in 1980, where Vilai made the most important decision of her life – to follow Jesus as her Lord and savior and to be baptized.

Vilai and Joe settled in Henryetta 8 years later, in 1988. Beyond faith and family, Vilai treasured life’s simple pleasures. She loved tossing a fishing line in the water, using whatever she could find for bait – even popcorn. The same skillful hands that could reel in dinner often created intricately designed clothes and blankets. Her garden was always bountiful and she never let anyone leave without sharing the harvest. A natural storyteller, she had a gift for bringing humor and wisdom through the many tales she could spin up – often leaving the listener in tears of laughter. She brought to the dinner table some of the most extravagant meals, only to be followed up by a fierce game of dominoes. She was a force to be reckoned with in the game and was, arguably, the reigning champion of the family. Although no one really knows who was better, what is certain is that their games were filled with laughter and the unspoken understanding that the time spent together was more important than who won the game.

The Cowans faithfully attended the First Presbyterian Church in Henryetta for many years. Vilai’s unwavering faith and devotion to the Lord were a testament to God’s amazing grace. Her legacy of reflecting Christ’s steadfast love and kindness will endure in the lives of her kids, grandkids, great grandkids, nieces, nephews, cousins, extended family, and countless friends.

In celebration of Vilai’s incredible life, a memorial service will be held on March 14th at 2:00pm at Chrystal Springs Retirement Village, located at 2301 W. Main St. in Henryetta, OK. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Clarehouse, the hospice house in Tulsa, Oklahoma, that cared for Vilai in the last month of her life, completely free of charge.

Though her loss is met with great sadness, we do not grieve without hope, for we know that Vilai now rests in the loving arms of Jesus. “Well done, good and faithful servant.” (Matthew 25:23)