MELVA LaMARRE McGOWAN
Our precious Mother, Melva Lee Wiggins LaMarre McGowan (age 85) went to be with the Lord on Saturday, February 18, 2023, surrounded by her children at her resident in Theodore, AL. We are so very thankful for the hope, the promise, and the guarantee that we have as those who are in Christ Jesus (I Thessalonians 4:13-18). "Nothing can separate us from the love of God" - not even dementia - Romans 8:38-39.
A native of McKenzie, AL, Mother graduated from Murphy High School and was a longtime resident of Mobile, AL. She loved and was loved. She was a charter member of St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church where she served for almost 52 years in various ministries of the church, as long as her health allowed. She loved her church family dearly. She worked in wholesale pharmaceuticals for nearly 40 years, coached softball for 10 years, and served as a substitute teacher for a short period. She loved her family, friends, church, music, singing, travel, sports (especially the Alabama Crimson Tide), and enjoyed trips to the salon. She was a faithful wife, mother, grandmother, daughter, sister, aunt, niece, and friend.
She was preceded in death by per parents, Annie Louise Arnold and Hilary Lee Wiggins, and Charles Floyd Cooper and Clara Davis Cooper; her husband of 41 years, Richard Robert LaMarre, Sr., and her husband of 13 years, Martin Sylvester McGowan; 2 sisters, Wanda Faye Cooper McLean, and Shirley Ann Rittenhouse Hudson; and 1 bonus son, Larry Martin McGowan.
She is survived by her 3 children, Theresa Dickerson (John), Deborah Wakefield (Mark), and Richard Robert LaMarre, Jr. (Nellie); 2 bonus daughters, Dianne Scott (Dwayne), and Carol Weaver (Jerry); 1 brother, Walter Lee Wiggins (Patricia); 9 grandchildren, 22 great-grandchildren, and 4 great-great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, an uncle, cousins, and many other precious relatives and friends.
August 30, 1937 ~ February 18, 2023 (age 85)
The family will receive guests at Mobile Memorial Gardens Funeral Home on Friday, February 24, from 5:00 - 7:00 PM with Rosary 4:30 - 5:00 PM. Funeral service will be directed by Mobile Memorial Gardens Funeral Home on Saturday, February 25, at 12 noon at St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church with Monsignor James Kee and Rev. Gary Vrazel officiating. A graveside service will follow at Mobile Memorial Gardens. Active Pallbearers will be Jeremy Dewayne Bohannon, Richard Robert LaMarre, III, Joseph Heath LaMarre, Daniel Blake Brown, Samuel Dale Mangham, Jr., and Benjamin Kody Graves. Honorary Pallbearers will be Joshua Ray LaMarre, Michael Ray McLean, Alvin Michael (Bubba) Rittenhouse, and Alvin Michael (Mikey) Rittenhouse, Jr. Arrangements by Mobile Memorial Gardens Funeral Home, 6040 Three Notch Road, Mobile, AL 36619.
Mark, Debbie I am so sorry to learn of Debbie’s mom death.
I was sorry to hear of her death, but at the same time over joyed to know that she is now singing with the angels and with Jesus. She was a very special lady to me and I know that everyone will miss her deeply.