Verna Gertrude Gowen

Verna Gertrude (Stout) Gowen, 89, of Bonne Terre, formerly of the Coon Island area south of Poplar Bluff died Friday, March 20, 2009 at the Community Manor in Farmington.

Mrs. Gowen was born Dec. 27, 1919 in Stone Co., Ark. She and her husband Jim raised their children on a farm near Neelyville for many years. In 1979 they moved to Lake Timberline north of Bonne Terre. Mrs. Gowen was of the Baptist faith, and was a homemaker. She enjoyed being outdoors, raising a vegetable garden and tending her many flowers. Mrs. Gowen especially enjoyed visiting with her family and friends.

On Oct. 30, 1935 she married James B. ""Jim"" Gowen in Poplar Bluff. He preceded her in death on Dec. 1, 1988.

Survivors include her sons: John E. Gowen and wife Sheila, of Bonne Terre, Leonard L. Gowen, of Farmington and David A. Gowen and wife Christene, of Troy; daughter, Lillie M. Raybern and husband Chuck of Farmington; 7 grandchildren: Crystal Wilk of Kansas City, Duane Gowen of Bonne Terre and Jason Gowen, Dawn Adams, Jimmy Ikemeier and Jay Ikemeier, all of Troy, Mo. and Dale Tinsley of St. Louis; 12 great-grandchildren and 2 great-great-grandchildren; 3 sisters: May Swaney, of Cheyenne, Wyoming, Ellen Killian and Josephine Richards, of Poplar Bluff; and a sister-in-law, Arlene Stout, of Bonne Terre.

Her parents, Evert M. and Nancy N. (Smith) Stout, an infant son, James Bertran Gowen, sister, Marie Payne and two brothers, William E. Stout and Joe Stout preceded her in death.

Visitation will be from 6 - 8 p.m. Monday at Cotrell Funeral Chapel in Poplar Bluff. The funeral service will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday at the Chapel with the Rev. Jim Schremp officiating. Burial will be at Dunning Cemetery in Harviell.