Ila Rosalee McGowen

Ila Rosalee McGowen, 93, of Hereford, died Sunday, Dec. 14, 2014, in Borger. Graveside services will be at 11:00 AM Monday, Dec. 22, 2014, at Rest Lawn Cemetery in Hereford. Memorial services will be at 1:30 PM Monday at First United Methodist Church in Hereford with Rev. Kevin Bushart, pastor, and Rev. Joe Shultz, honorary pastor, officiating. Arrangements are by Carmichael-Whatley Funeral Directors of Pampa and Parkside Chapel Funeral Home of Hereford. Mrs. McGowen was born May 14, 1921 in Hidalgo County, Texas. She graduated from Holmesville High School in Holmesville, Nebraska, the town where she also married Dean Thomas Saul on Oct. 23, 1940. Shortly thereafter, the United States was pulled into World War II. When Mr. Saul enlisted, Rosalee followed him from rural Nebraska to the bustling city of Buffalo, New York. She worked a variety of small jobs, both while he was stationed domestically and also while he served overseas. When he was transferred to Amarillo, Texas, one of her favorite jobs included the Amarillo Day Nursery. When her husband preceded her in death in 1958 due to an accident caused by a drunk driver, she chose to invest the resulting settlement in a trust in order to fulfill his dream of seeing their four children achieve a higher education. To make ends meet, she worked as a secretary for her church, First United Methodist, where she assisted the minister, Alby Cockrell, with the initial plans for King’s Manor. She later served on the King’s Manor Auxiliary. She also worked as a bookkeeper for W. R. Grace & Company and was a member of Business and Professional Women. She lovingly provided clothing for her family through her expert sewing skills, up to and including her daughter’s entire bridal party. Rosalee married S. Kelly Coplin on March 3, 1960 in Hereford, and was preceded by him in death in 1973. She then married Claude Lee “Jelly” McGowen, Jr., on Jan. 11, 1975 in Hereford. Of the many things the two enjoyed together, cooking for others and hosting family meals top the list. He passed away on Feb. 17, 2013. Mrs. McGowen had been a resident of Hereford for over 60 years. Her favorite hobby was making porcelain dolls, many of which she donated to raise money for the Hereford Senior Citizens Center. She was also preceded in death by a son, David Lee Saul, a grandson, Kenneth Allen Snow, a great grandson, Peter Barros, three brothers, Ivan Hevelone, Elmer Hevelone, and Delbert Hevelone, and two sisters, Clarissa Goldolphin and Carol Ball. Survivors include two sons, Sammy Dean Saul and wife Bonnie of Flower Mound, and Tommy Dee Saul and wife Susan of Mineola, a daughter, Brenda Kay Snow and husband Richard of Borger, a stepson Tom McGowen and wife Cyndy of Fritch, a stepdaughter, Ellen Dunaway and husband Ron of Lubbock, a brother, Dan Hevelone of Lincoln, Nebraska, 15 grandchildren, 27 great grandchildren, and 4 great great grandchildren. Mrs. McGowen will lie in state from 9:00 AM-8:00 PM Saturday, Dec. 20, and 1:00 PM-8:00 PM Sunday at Parkside Chapel Funeral Home in Hereford. Visitation will be from 6:00-7:30 PM Sunday at Parkside Chapel. Memorials may be made to First United Methodist Church, 501 S. Main, Hereford, TX 79045 or Hereford Senior Citizens Center, 426 Ranger, Hereford, TX 79045.