Carol “Annette” (Bowen) Cozort of Nixa, Mo., passed unexpectedly, but peacefully, on March 27, 2024.
She was born September 2, 1961, in Cassville, Mo.
She was a 1979 graduate of Cassville High School. She furthered her education at Missouri State University where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Education and a minor in music in 1984, a Master of Science in 2000, and her Education Specialist in 2005. She had a lifelong career as an educator, spending 40 years in education. She began her career in Cassville as a thirdgrade teacher and held many positions in different locations. Including President of Southwest Mo. Association of Elementary School Principals from 20092011. She was awarded the Missouri Professional Learning Community Exemplary School Award and retired from administration July 1, 2015. She then became a Professional Developer and Leadership Specialist for the Agency for Teaching, Leading & Learning through Missouri State University. Annette was part of the original design team for Mo. Leadership Development Specialist (MLDS).
In 2017, she became part of the SAM family as a Time Change Coach in Mo., where she presented at multiple national conferences. She also served as CASA representative for Christian County for two years and was a mentor to countless teachers and administrators.
She was baptized at First Baptist Church of Cassville, and attended James River Church and were involved in the children’s ministry over the last several years Survivors include her husband, Jeffrey Cozort; her parents, Don and Carolyn (Cox) Bowen; sister, Jennifer (Mark) Shumaker; son, Zach Pry; stepdaughter, Chelsea (Jamayla) Cozort; three grandchildren; two nieces, , three great nieces and two great nephews; many friends, and her three fur-babies.
A memorial visitation will be held from 4:00 P.M. until 7:00 P.M. Thursday, April 4, 2024 at First Baptist Church in Cassville, under direction of Fohn Funeral Home in Cassville.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations be made payable to the “Annette Cozort Memorial Rural Educators Scholarship” and mailed to Community Foundation of the Ozarks, PO BOX 8960 Springfield, MO
