Vanessa Cowell Wilson Murray, 70, of Bella Vista, Arkansas died on May 15, 2024, at Circle of Life in Bentonville, Arkansas. Vanessa was born in Manchester, England on September 20, 1953, to Olive Esther (Fox) and George Arthur Cowell. The family immigrated to the United States when Vanessa was seven years old.

Vanessa graduated from Thornton Fractional North High School in Calumet City, Illinois in 1971, then served in the United States Air Force rising to the rank of Staff Sargent. She met the love of her life, Larry Lee Wilson, and married April 10, 1972. In 1975, the couple moved to Mexico, Missouri to the Wilson family farm. After Larry's unexpected death, Vanessa remained in Mexico to raise her children. She later married Paul D. Murray. In support of Paul's career, Vanessa moved to Minnesota, Oklahoma, and then several small towns in Missouri. After Paul's death, she moved to Arkansas to be near her grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her husband Larry (1981), her husband Paul (2020), and her parents. She is survived by her children, Josh Wilson of Mexico, MO, Stacy Ash (Kent Willer) of Bentonville, AR, two granddaughters, Neena and Veda Ash of Bentonville, and son-in-law Mylon Ash of Bella Vista, AR, and her four siblings: Andrew Cowell and Yvonne of Rancho Cordova, CA, Helen Amick of Mankato, MN, Jennifer Murphy and Todd of Spring Hill, KS and Brian Cowell and Tammy of Jacksonville, FL, 13 nieces and nephews, and 15 great-nieces and great-nephews.

Her life was full of adventure that took her to several countries in Europe and in Asia. In addition to travel, Vanessa enjoyed antique collecting and reselling, painting, and K-dramas. She will always be remembered for her love for animals.

Graveside Memorial Service will be at East Lawn Memorial Park in Mexico, Missouri on June 8, 2024, at 9:00am.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Pet Peace of Mind, Circle of Life's program that is dedicated to helping hospice patients find adoptive homes for their pets (www.GiftsToCircle.org and type Pet Peace of Mind)