Velma Mae Cousins, better known as Mae, died Tuesday, Jan. 09, 2024, at the Logan County Senior Living.
Mae was born on Nov. 29, 1924, at her home in Oakley, to Simon Dawson and Myrtle Dawson (Deshong) of Oakley; the sixth of seven kids.
She was a lifelong resident of Oakley for 99 years.
She was born during the “Great Depression” and grew up as the “Dust Bowl” ravaged the Kansas Prairie; and during the Presidency of Calvin Coolidge, the 30th President of the United States.
On June 22, 1944, Mae married Harold William Cousins of Menlo. Mae then had to watch and wait as Harold was sent to Europe to fight in the Second World War as a paratrooper. When Harold returned from war, and was discharged from the Army, they settled down in Oakley, where they raised five children.
Mae was a fixture around Oakley. She could normally be seen checking you out at Traders, and later IGA. Mae could also be found waiting tables and cooking at her brother Darrold’s restaurant, The Little Café in Oakley.
Later in life she worked at Costal Mart before they closed. The handmade crafts that Mae and Harold made could be bought at her nephew David Nelson’s restaurant, The Colonial Steak House.
Once again in the late 1960’s, Mae had to watch as her oldest son was sent off to Vietnam. The second time she had to wait and worry for a loved one to return from war.
Mae’s grandchildren would come and spend the summers with her. All were expected to help around the house. Mostly working in Mae’s huge garden, setting and clearing the dinner table. The one thing everyone could expect at Mae’s house was a huge meal. Mae loved to cook.
Mae was preceded in death by her parents Simon and Mrytle Dawson of Oakley; her husband Harlod Cousins,of Oakley; four brothers, Archie Dawson age 2 ½ of Oakley, Gilbert Dawson of Oakley, Darrold Dawson of Oakley and Si Dawson of Oakley; two sisters, Cora Vavricka (Dawson) of Oakley, and Louise Nelson (Dawson) of Oakley; two sons, Simon Cousins of Oakley and Randy Cousins of Branson, Mo.; two grandchildren, Michelle Cole of Broken Arrow, Okla., and Marvin Cousins of Oakley and many nieces and nephews.
Mae is survived by her children, Harold “Richard” Cousins of Oakley, Sheryl Cousins of Snellville, Ga., Sandra “Sandy” Cole (Cousins) and spouse Gary Cole of Broken Arrow, Okla., and daughter-in-law Ginger Cousins (Kinne) spouse of Simon Cousins of Oakley; her eight grandchildren, Wesley Simon Cousins of Wichita, Lee Ludolph and spouse Emily Ludolph (Bryant) of Monroe, Ga., William Cousins and spouse Wendy Cousins (Buck) of Hoxie, Jamie Ludolph and spouse Jessica Ludolph (Lackey) of Clovis, Ga., Laura Dill (Cole) and spouse John Dill of Broken Arrow, Okla., Brett Bowman of Snellville, Ga.; Cody Cole and spouse Tedi Cole (Hunt) of Jenks, Okla., and Shannon Green (Cole) and spouse Dwight Green of Clamore, Okla.; 14 great-grandkids, Naomi Jordan, Jacob Jordan, Amber Jordan, Macey Ludolph, Kody Cousins, Alexandria Cousins, Adalynne “Addy” Green, Caleb Courtney, Dillon Courtney, Kidd Cole, Callie Ludolph, Abigail Ludolph, Chasi Cole and Grayson Cole and three great-great grandkids, Ajay Cousins, Piper Morales and Nevaeh Besser.
Mae will be interred at Oakley Cemetery at 2 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 16, 2024, following a small service to be held at United Christian Church.
A memorial service will be on Memorial Weekend in Oakley. Memorials may be made to ASPCA and sent in care of Baalmann Mortuary, PO Box 391, Colby, KS 67701. For information or condolences visit baalmannmortuary.com.