BEATRICE JEANETTE HAMILTON CRISSMAN COGBURN
Beatrice was born January 24, 1912, to Albert and Pearl Hamilton in Quapaw, Oklahoma. She departed this life on October 28, 2013, at the Long Term Care Center in Springfield, Colorado at 101 years of age. She and her parents moved to the extreme southeast part of Baca County, CO in 1917. She attended grade school at High Point and Valley View, started high school at Campo, and graduated from Walsh. Beatrice came to know the Lord and was baptized at the Baptist church in Walsh.
She married Shirley Crissman on August 4, 1934, and they began their life together on the family homestead at Lamport, CO. Their daughter, Juanita, was born on Aug.3, 1935. Later the little family moved into Springfield where they lived until Shirley returned from World War II. Beatrice's skill with needle and thread was well known throughout the county and she made a nice living with it. Upon Shirley's return they worked together in the grocery store in Vilas. They welcomed son-in-law, Pete Ownbey, to the family on August 4, 1952. After 21 happy years of marriage Shirley departed this life on December 21, 1955.
On May 5, 1957, Beatrice married Chesla Cogburn adding Arden, Victor, Chesna, Linda, and Randy to her family. She loved her growing family and helping Chelsa with the farm/ranch operation. She especially loved raising her bucket calves. Beatrice found many outlets for her artistic side; painting, woodworking (sometimes at the expense of family furniture and even the walls in the house), and best of all making hand shaped and painted ceramic creations. Beatrice and Chesla shared 32 years of happiness before Chesla left this earth for his heavenly home on August 11, 1989.
Beatrice's family enjoyed listening to Bea tell stories of riding in the back of the wagon with her brother and watching the stars at night, of informing her husband when he disapproved of her slacks that if he wanted to hang out the clothes in a dress, he could wear one of hers, or telling about helping Chelsa start a truck. She was pulling it and when it started, she stopped. He ran into the back of the pickup and jumped out to explain her mistake. She didn't appreciate his explanation and left for the house. When he came in he threw his hat in first to test the waters. He got his first hint when she landed on it with both feet. Juanita's earliest memory was when she was around 2 years old and being in trouble with Mother. Not only did she think she could outrun Mother but could get away from her if she ran into the pond. Juanita was a little amazed that Mother not only caught her but that the water only came to Mother's knees. She doesn't remember the spanking she got but she does remember the water!
When Beatrice was asked what advancement she witnessed during a century of living was the most impressive she would say, the man on the moon.
Beatrice is survived by her daughter, Juanita (Pete) Ownbey of Campo, stepchildren; Arden (Barbara) Cogburn of Walsh, Victor Cogburn of OK, Chesna (Bob) Hume of Manter, KS, Linda (Dean) Bishop of Walsh, and Randy Cogburn of Walsh. She is also survived by 17 grandchildren, 41 great grandchildren, 28 great great grandchildren, and 3 great great great grandchildren. She always said to go heavy on the great when speaking about her as a grandmother. She is survived by sisters; Deanie Hamilton of Vilas and Idrys (Glen) Hutches also of Vilas. Also surviving are numerous nephews, nieces, and great nephews and nieces.
She was preceded in death by her parents, husbands; Shirley Crissman and Chelsa Cogburn, brothers; J.C., Walter (Ham) and Robert, sisters; Mary Jean Orebaugh, Wilma, and a baby girl, sister-in-law Ruth (Toots) Hamilton, brother-in-law Wayne Orebaugh, granddaughter Darla Cogburn and grandson Pete Cousins.