Gladys Gowan

She was preceded in death by all of her immediate family, including all siblings Carrie (Gilmore); Beatrice (Wiles); Vonnell “Nell” (Scott, Matchell); Inez (Rigsby); Bill Hilliard; Edwin “Dude” Hilliard and Sidney Hilliard.

Gladys married William M. Gowan, Jr. on May 4th 1946. After 73 years of marriage, Bill died on May 13, 2019. They were blessed with three children, Dennis, Beverly (deceased 2012), and Teresa.

She was a long time member of the Bemis Church of Christ, South and later North Jackson Churches of Christ, which she attended faithful until she was no longer able.

Although she only completed most of the 10th grade, she loved learning and often read National Geographic and the encyclopedias purchased for her children’s schoolwork.

She enjoyed writing and recorded not only her personal story but kept journals of the trips she and Bill made over the years. She encouraged everyone to plan a vacation “while you can still enjoy it”. Some of their travels included Hawaii, California, Oregon, Washington State, Mackinac Island, Michigan, Joplin, Missouri, camping trips to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Chickasaw State Park and the White River in Arkansas. She traveled to Colorado with Dennis and Bethann and enjoyed an adventure on the Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad.

Gladys leaves behind, her children, Dennis Gowan (Bethann), Teresa Robertson (Victor); Grandchildren: Corey Mitchell, Cody Mitchell (Chrisi), Erin Alexander (Rob), and Ann Gowan-Smith (Justin), along with a long list of cherished nieces and nephews.

A service to celebrate the life of Gladys Gowan will be held on Wednesday, April 1, 2026 at 11 am at the North Chapel of George A. Smith and Sons with burial following at Highland Memorial Gardens. The family will receive friends on Tuesday evening, March 31, 2026 from 5-7 p.m. at the funeral home.