Funeral services set for Augusta mother and daughter killed in Alabama boating accident

Funeral services for an Augusta woman and her daughter killed in a boating accident last weekend will be held Friday.

Lauren Cowart, 37, and Blakely Cowart, 5, died in an accident at the mouth of Shoals Creeks, just off Wilson Lake in Alabama. The accident occurred just before 11 p.m., when a larger cabin cruiser hit a small recreation boat carrying the Cowarts and two others, Lauderdale County Coroner Butch Tucker said.

Another man and his son were in the boat with the Cowarts and the son suffered minor injuries, according to Tucker. Authorities are still investigating the accident.

Cowart was a lifelong resident of Augusta and graduated from USC Aiken with a bachelor's degree in communications, according to the obituary. She was a production manager at Wier-Stewart, an Augusta advertising agency and creative firm.

"She was a loving daughter and devoted mother," according to the obituary. "Lauren was very outgoing, never met a stranger and was always happy."

Blakely was a student at Lake Forest Hills Elementary School. She enjoyed playing soccer, swimming and roller coasters, according to the obituary. She is survived by her father, grandparents and uncles. 

The family will receive friends Thursday from 5 to 8 p.m. at Thomas Poteet & Sons Funeral Directors, 214 Davis Road. Funeral services will be held Friday at 11 a.m. at St. John United Methodist Church with burial at Westover Memorial Park.