Mary Agnes Fowler

Mary Agnes McReynolds Fowler, was 75 years young, went peacefully to be with the Lord on August 23, 2015 at her home surrounded by family. Mary Agnes was born on March 09, 1940, in Birmingham, Alabama, the daughter of Lawrence Joseph McReynolds and Mary Maudie Chandler McReynolds. Both preceded her in death.

Mary Agnes grew up in West End, where she was a parish member at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church. She attended John Carrol Catholic School in grade school and some of High School. She also attended school in California, while staying family.

Mary Agnes had the honor of being her parents little surprise later in their lives. She was also a surprise to her much older siblings whom all had a hand in raising her. Lawrence Joseph “Buster” McReynolds, John Patrick “Johnny” McReynolds, Bertha Louise “Bert” Watkins, Lucille Marie Andres, Frances Elizabeth Ingram and William Ralph “Billy” McReynolds, all preceded her in death. She had the advantage of growing up with her nieces and nephews, since she was closer to their ages.

Our parents, Marion Alton Fowler and Mary Agnes came together on July 12, 1957 in Jefferson County, after meeting at the home of our father’s sister Jewel Coe, arranged by her daughter Linda. They had a desire to have a family, although our dad was sweating about having a large “Catholic family”. They settled on three: Michael Aaron, born March 05, 1959; Mary Darlene, born August 04, 1966; and Judy Lynn, born December 20, 1967.

Our mother was a lovely woman. She embodied all the attributes of a loving mom. She was caring, thoughtful, hardworking, and compassionate and so much more. It was so difficult to think of all the words that described our mother as a person and how much she meant to us. Our mother was a special person that taught us morals and values, about our Lord, and laughter. We will cherish our memories and yes, all the funny things she did.

Our mother was a homemaker for most of her life. Many people don’t think of this as a job, but I can tell you that she worked harder than many women I know. She worked hard to raise her family and was always there for us when we needed her. She was up early to fix our dad’s breakfast at 4:am and to work, to help get us ready for school, was there to drive us home, make dinner, help us with our homework and put us to bed.

She also kept other’s children, mostly single moms, in our homes in West End and in Montevallo to make extra money to take us to the movies and Putt-Putt Golf. And later those items, as a teenager – we just had to have!

Mom was a member of Saint Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church in Montevallo, AL. Where she worked in the children’s nursery, Social Concerns committee, Campus Ministry and was a Eucharistic Minister for 40 years.

After dad passed away in 1995, she went to work at Walmart in Alabaster. In January 2012 she celebrated 15 years, she continued to work there until May 2013. Due to Diabetes, a back and foot surgery, she retired.

Mom enjoyed playing cards and any kind of board games, we learned them all! She loved crafts, baking sweets and making Christmas candies. She often shared them with family and friends. She & Dad and I were in several parades and wagon trains with our horses. She loved animals. Yes, even snakes. Well maybe love is a bit much. She loved to travel by planes, trains (L &M Railroad) and automobiles. She has seen the East to West Coast, down to the Florida Keys and up to Canada. She was a Snowbird in AZ with her niece Carolyn Snow. Mom went Elk hunting… can you believe it?

And of course, I must mention… an Auburn Fan!

She is survived by Her three children: Mike and his son Mikey Fowler; Darlene Fowler-McCool and her son Ethan McCool and Judy Gentry and her son Scott (Krista), their children: Cayden, Caylee & Cara; her daughter Danielle Knight, her daughter Maddie, and Judy’s younger daughters Kristina Strickland and Allyssa Gentry and several nieces, nephews, great- nieces & nephews and last but not least great-great nieces & nephews. Plus loving friends.

Our mom was an amazing woman who taught us and others a lot. Through her actions, hard work and her walk with Christ both here on Earth and now in Heaven. We will miss her and will always love her forever.

“Daddy make room… here she comes!”