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DeSoto Honors Memory Of Mayor Curtistene McCowan Lowering City Flags, Wearing Red

DeSOTO, Texas (CBSDFW.COM) - Though still reeling over Wednesday's sudden passing of Mayor Curtistene S. McCowan at age 72, DeSoto Municipal Government moved forward Thursday with its daily operations but still found ways to honor a mayor who many also considered a great friend.

DeSoto City Manager Brandon Wright ordered that all City of DeSoto flags be flown at half-staff beginning at 10:30 a.m., Thursday, October 29 until sunset on Sunday, November 1.

DeSoto flag at half-staff
DeSoto flag at half-staff (credit: City of DeSoto)

The American flag, Texas flag and POW/MIA flag  remained at full-staff given different jurisdictions and regulations.

Friday is also the day before Halloween, and workers were initially given permission to wear Halloween costumes to work that day as part of an employee appreciation effort, but given Mayor McCowan's passing, and her love and dedication to her Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, DeSoto city workers were asked to make a wardrobe change.

"We are asking that the City of DeSoto's workforce put away their Halloween costumes and wear red in honor of and to show their appreciation for Mayor McCowan," declared City Manager Wright. He noted that they have also been asked to take digital photos of their red attire which will be posted online by the City to show others how much Mayor McCowan meant to DeSoto.

DeSoto Mayor Curtistene Smith McCowan
DeSoto Mayor Curtistene Smith McCowan (city of DeSoto)

McCowan was first elected Mayor of DeSoto on May 7, 2016, and was re-elected to her second term on May 4, 2019.

She was also the first African-American elected to public office in DeSoto when she won a seat on the DeSoto ISD Board of Trustees in 1990.

Her funeral arrangements are still pending.

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