Melinda Cowles Barbour

Melinda Cowles Barbour, longtime resident of Cedar Key, died February 18th, 2013 after a long, productive life.

She was born in Toano, Virginia, December 9th, 1917, to Edmund Ware Cowles and Ann Ruth Driscoll Cowles.

The largest portion of her life was spent in Williamsburg, Virgina, where she founded and operated a small business, The Old Chickahominy House, a restaurant, antique shop, gift shop combination.

In 1969, after marrying Thomas N. Barbour, she moved to Cedar Key leaving the business in the capable and caring hands of her much loved "unofficial" daughter, Maxine Williams.

She is survived by her three children: Thomas Brantley Henderson III of Nashville, Tennessee, Linda Anne Gordon of Greenbackville, Virginia, and Dale Henderson of Cedar Key; her four grandchildren: Thomas B. Henderson IV of Nashville, Tennessee, Heather Rose of Mason, Ohio, Branden Gordon of Marionville, Virginia, and Lee Gordon of New York, New York, as well as four great-granddaughters.

Melinda loved the Chickahominy House, the stock market, Cedar Key, fishing, baseball (Atlanta Braves), and all things related to the University of Florida.

She was undeterred by a lifelong disability, and could run a boat or hoe a garden or charm a roomful of strangers.

She had a good life.

There will be no service.

Those who wish to honor Melinda may do so by donating in her memory to Haven Hospice 311 N.E. 9th Street, Chiefland, FL 32626 or to the Friends of the Cedar Key Library P.O. Box 84 Cedar Key, Fl 32625

And please lift a glass to her memory and to all the good times.