Mrs. Bessie Grace McGowan's Obituary
Life begins with one heartbeat that can be compared to a journey. This wonderful journey began on July 25, 1930 for Bessie Grace Watkins McGowan who was born to the late Will and Laura Wheaton Watkins in Newton Mississippi. On Thursday, December 18, 2014, at Regency Hospital in Meridian MS surrounded by her family, her journey of life ended with that same one heartbeat from whence it began and the bright shining star of the McGowan family transitioned to a peaceful place.
At an early age, Grace confessed her belief in Christ and united with St Cloud Church of Newton. On September 13, 1948, she united in Holy Matrimony to Frank McGowan. The Lord blessed her to birth seven children and she nurtured them with love, discipline and instilled them with good values. During her time on earth, she was also privileged to be the mother to Frank's three sons. After moving to Enterprise MS, she united with Mt Zion Baptist Church and served faithfully until her health failed. She is preceded in death by her parents, Will and Laura Watkins; one brother, Leonard Watkins; one sister, LaJoyce Charles and one grandson, Kelvin McGowan.
Grace was a quiet, gentle lady who was devoted to her family. Although she did not work outside the home, she was an excellent homemaker who was especially fond of cooking for and teaching her grandchildren to cook. She was often found in the kitchen instructing them on how to make her favorite recipes especially her tea cakes, her biscuits and her favorite "Dangifiknow" soup. Because of her love and attention to her grandchildren, there are many great cooks within the family.
Remembering her legacy and cherishing her memories are: ten children, James Thomas McGowan, Willie Thomas Love, both of Enterprise, MS, Arthur B. Williams of Fayetteville, NC, Willie Frank McGowan of Detroit Ml, Frances Louise Deloach of Enterprise MS, Claude McGowan of Douglasville, GA, Betty Jo Evans, Ruby Jean McGee, Annie Ruth Whigham and Johnny Charles McGowan, all of Enterprise, MS; four Daughter-in-laws, Everlena McGowan of Enterprise, MS, Aileen Love of Moss Point, MS, Mary Ann McGowan of Douglasville, GA and Lois Lane Donald of Quitman, MS; four son-in-laws, Grady Moss, Larry Evans, Jerry McGee and Dennis Whigham, all of Enterprise, MS; stepmother, Betty Watkins of Muskegon, MI; eight siblings, Barbara (Michael) Jennings of Muskegon Heights, MI, Sharon (Kenny) Wilson and Demetria Pollard, both of Muskegon, MI, Craig Watkins of Killeen, TX, Xavier (Diane) Watkins of Calumet City, IL, Corlis Watkins of Kalamazoo, Ml, Evette Watkins of Muskegon, MI and Danyell Watkins of Muskegon Heights, MI; thirty-one grandchildren, twenty-seven great-grandchildren and three great great-grandchildren, a special God-daughter, Cynthia McGowan, two special God granddaughters, Ginny Whigham and Laronda Moore and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
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