DESOTO, Texas — Heartfelt condolences flooded social media Wednesday night as the news of the death of Curtistene S. McCowan, DeSoto’s mayor, circulated. She was 72.

 “Godspeed to a great person and mayor, Curtistene Smith McCowan,” said Dallas County Judge Clay Jenkins in a tweet. “Personally, and on behalf of the 2.7 million residents of Dallas County, Texas, I thank the mayor for her service and to her family for sharing such a gifted leader with us.”

What You Need To Know

  • Curtistene McCowan, mayor of DeSoto, has died at the age of 72

  • She announced her cancer diagnosis at an Oct. 6 council meeting
  • Funeral details have not been announced

Earlier this month, Mayor McCowan announced her lung cancer diagnosis during an Oct. 6 city council meeting.

"Those of you who know me know that I am a fighter and if there is a cause that I believe is worth fighting for, I’m on it,” said McCowan during the meeting. “And those of you who know me are also aware that I have an unusual amount of energy and maybe I should say I had an unusual amount of energy. So, when I get tired or don’t put in the time and energy that I normally do on an issue you better believe something is up. Well, something is up.”

At that moment, she described not feeling well roughly two weeks prior, prompting her to seek medical attention.

“I didn’t feel right,” she said. “I had labored breathing. I thought it was my asthma. So, my primary physician sent me to the hospital, because he said after looking at an x-ray that ‘I believe you have pneumonia’.”

But, the trip to the emergency room would later reveal more than she had anticipated. McCowan said doctors initially diagnosed her with pneumonia. However, after a more than 48-hour observation in the hospital and time at home, she insisted she still didn’t feel as though she was on the road to recovery.

“They ran additional tests,” she said. “And it turns out the reason for my fatigue and labored breathing was not pneumonia at all, it was cancer – cancer in my right lung.”

According to a statement released by the City of DeSoto, McCowan died due to “complications” with her battle with lung cancer. The mayor of Dallas expressed his grief on social media over her sudden passing.

“This is unbelievably sad news,” Mayor Eric Johnson tweeted. “On behalf of my family and the City of Dallas, I offer our sincerest condolences to the family of Mayor McCowan and the entire city of DeSoto, Texas.”

McCowan was elected as mayor of DeSoto on May 7, 2016, and later re-elected on May 4, 2019. Before becoming mayor, she served on DeSoto’s city council for four years. In 1990, she made history as the first African-American elected to public office in DeSoto after winning a seat on DeSoto ISD’s Board of Trustees, according to the city.

“We lost a wonderful servant leader today,” City of DeSoto councilmember Nicole Raphiel wrote in a post on Facebook. “I will forever remember the love she freely gave. Sincere condolences to her beloved family and beloved city of DeSoto. She loved us with her life.”

Her life as a public servant extended beyond the boardroom as she wore many hats throughout her time in and out of office. In its statement, the City of DeSoto said McCowan “spent much of her life dedicated to serving the DeSoto community.” Before her time on the city council, she served five years on the DeSoto Economic Development Corporation Board of Directors.  Her work in education spanned over 30 years, per the city.

“My heart is heavy as I send condolences to the family of my good friend, DeSoto mayor Curtistene McCowan,” said Rep. Eddie Bernice Johnson on Facebook. “She was a diligent and faithful leader who will be greatly missed.”

She was the founder and president of Concerned DeSoto Citizens, where she and her husband, Leon McCowan, served for 31 years.  In 2007, Curtistene S. McCowan Middle School was named in honor – a recognition she described as the greatest honor of her life. With more than 32 years of service under her belt, she retired from the federal government in 2005. She was the senior investigator for the Federal Trade Commission’s Southwest Regional Office for at least 18 years.

“God is sovereign,” wrote Sen. Royce West on Facebook. “I bow to His will. I sadly acknowledge the passing of DeSoto mayor Curtistene McCowan. You answered His call on your life to serve. Today, you answered His final call. Rest.”

McCowan leaves behind her husband of 54 years, two sons and their wives, Danny and Angie Sebastian and Leon and Stephanie McCowan, and her grandchildren Tiana, Kirsten, and Taylor McCowan. A date for her funeral has not been released, but it’s expected to take place at Kirkwood Temple CME Episcopal Church in Dallas.