WINSTON-SALEM — Doris DavisMcGowan, 82, passed awayThursday, July 20, 2011 after a short stay at the Brian Center ofWinston-Salem.
Funeral services will be held at the New Bethel Baptist Church inTobaccoville on Sunday, July 24, at 3 p.m. followed by a covered dishdinner in the fellowship hall. The Rev. Toby Tilley willconductthe services.
Doris Rae Davis was born in Yadkin County on Jan. 16, 1929. She was thedaughter of Walter L. and Della Hutchins Davis from the Yadkinvillearea. Her grandfather was one of the founding members of the New BethelBaptist Church and is believed to have donated the land it sits on.Many of her family members are buried in the church’s cemetery. Walterand Della had nine children and were tobacco farmers until Walters’sdeath in 1970. Their children and grandchildren were raised on hardwork, great country cooking, and a loving family.
Doris met her husband Louie R. McGowan at Western Electric, where theywere both employed in 1947. Louie retired from Western after many yearsas an electrician. Doris went on to work in retail for Thalhimer’sdepartment store and as a homemaker. Doris and Louie raised two sons,Tony Wayne McGowan and Keith Lewis McGowan.
Both Doris and Louie were heavily involved with the Junior OrderChildren’s Home of Lexington, N.C., during their early retirement yearsand with caring for foster children in their home on Thomasville Road.
Doris loved and was dedicated to her family and loved ones. She was therock of her children’s lives and of the family and will be dearlymissed by all.
She was preceded in death by her husband Louie, mother and father Dellaand Walter, sister Katie Willard, brother Larry Wayne Davis, brotherCoy Davis, and sister Ethel Davis.
She is survived by her children, Tony McGowan of Ocracoke and KeithMcGowan of Gloucester, Va.; sisters Sarah Hauser of Pinnacle, N.C.,Jolene Tilley and husband Rev. Toby Tilley of Siloam, N.C., and DellaBernice Dunning of Kernersville, N.C., and grandchildren, Davis PatrickMcGowan of Wilmington, N.C., and Morgan Casey McGowan of Gloucester,Va., and her loving and faithful dog Nellie.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in the name of Doris DavisMcGowan to the New Bethel Baptist Church, 6340 Ridge Road,Tobaccoville, NC 27050
