Evelyn Alexander Gowan, age 78

Evelyn Alexander Gowan, age 78, of Harris, passed away on Saturday, March 5, 2016.

Born June 21, 1937 in Rutherford County, she was a daughter to the late Major Ross Alexander and Lila Mae Blackwell Alexander. She was a graduate of Harris High School, class of 1955 and earned an Associates Degree in Business from Kings College of Charlotte. Evelyn worked for Eagles Variety Store as a department manager for many years and for Cone Mill-Cliffside and J.H. Montgomery-Chesnee for several years before retirement. She was a faithful lifetime member of New Bethel Baptist Church where she served as church pianist for sixty years and also taught Sunday School. Besides her passion for music, Evelyn enjoyed growing flowers, canning, cooking and working in the garden. She and her late husband, Paul, operated the Gowan's Produce Stand at their home. If you were a visitor at their home, you would always leave with a bag of vegetables, a jar of jelly or something baked by Evelyn. She was a giving person who loved her Lord, her family, her church and one who took great delight in serving others.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband of fifty-nine years, Paul Robert Gowan and one sister, Betty Alexander Beheler.

Survivors include her daughter, Joyce Gowan Silver and husband, Ronnie of Harris; one granddaughter, and three great-grandchildren.

She is also survived by two sisters, Doris Alexander Dills and husband, Daniel and Kay Cantrell and husband, Ron all of Harris; three brothers, Joe Alexander and wife, Cindy, Jerry Alexander and wife, Mary Ruth and Johnny Alexander and wife, Patti all of Harris and also a host of nieces and nephews.

Funeral services were conducted at the New Bethel Baptist Church with Reverend Stephen Matheny, Reverend Terry Roach and Reverend Steve Chappell officiating. Interment followed in the church cemetery.

Memorial donations are suggested to the New Bethel Baptist Church Building Fund, 223 New Bethel Church Road, Forest City, NC 28043

Harrelson Funeral and Cremation Services has been entrusted with arrangements.