Dena Lea Scowden, 76, of May, Texas passed away Monday, January 29, 2024. A visitation with the family will be held from 6:00 – 8:00 PM, Friday, February 2, 2024 at Heartland Funeral Home and the Funeral Service will be in the Heartland Funeral Chapel, 10:00 AM, Saturday, February 3, 2024 with interment to follow at Pleasant Valley Cemetery, May Texas.
Dena was born June 12, 1947 in Odessa, Texas to O.V. & Wanda (Perry) Scott. She graduated from Permian High School and received an Associate degree from Odessa College. Dena was a very organized and proficient at running things so she found herself serving in administrative bookkeeping roles where she thrived. She married James “Jimmy” Scowden in February of 1966 at Odessa Texas and they began a life together that blessed them with 3 children. Dena loved doing pageants with her granddaughters and her niece. She had a part in every aspect of pageants from judging to directing. Dena made lifelong friendships and memories. She loved to travel and was always going, anywhere, anytime. Dena and Donnie travelled to Georgia and Oklahoma visiting Casinos where she loved to try her chances gambling. Her son James and her would buy squares and track games to win in football pots. She took the trip of a lifetime up the New England coast with her daughter, Monica, in 2022. They visited Martha’s Vineyard, Nantucket and all the lighthouses. She enjoyed collecting lighthouses and windchimes and owns over 100 in her collection. Dena was passionate about caring for dogs, one in particular stole her heart and was a great companion, Linus. Dena lived life to the fullest and was always on the go. Our beloved sister, mother, grandmother and friend impacted our lives deeply and will be missed.
Dena is survived by her daughter, Monica Pruitt and husband Terry of May; sons, James Scowden and girlfriend Ali Gutierrez of Abilene & Donnie Scowden of May; a sister, Karen Miles Stepan and husband Greg of The Colony, TX; 9 grandchildren; 12 great grandchildren; and many nieces, cousins and friends.
Dena was preceded in death by her husband, James “Jimmy” Scowdenl her parents, Wanda & O.V. Scott; brothers, Ronnie Scott and Donnie Scott; great-grandson, Landon Kilpatrick; and nephew, Tommy Joe Scott.
Online condolences can be shared with the family at www.heartlandfuneralhome.net