Alice Mcgowan

Born in Greenville, North Carolina on June 16, 1937

Departed on July 14, 2017 and resided in Brentwood, Tennessee

Alice Joyce Flye McGowan, age 80, of Brentwood, Tennessee, was welcomed into the arms of her Heavenly Father on Friday, July 14, 2017.

Born the ninth child of Paul Lester and Lillie Satterfield Flye in Greenville, North Carolina on June 16, 1937, she left an indelible mark during her time on earth by selflessly sharing her infectious kindness and unmistakable humor with anyone who was privileged to encounter her presence. After earning a degree in Education from East Carolina University, she fell in love with Charles Edwin McGowan, the son of a local farmer, whom she married on March 29, 1959 and to whom she faithfully remained committed until her passing. Her vibrant, endearing personality helped forge lifelong friendships with those who came to know her while serving God with her husband in ministries across the globe, including Chapel Woods Presbyterian Church in Decatur, Georgia; First Presbyterian Church in Dothan, Alabama; The Free Church of Scotland in Golspie, Scotland; and Christ Presbyterian Church in Nashville, Tennessee, where she remained active until her death. Her unwavering faith in Jesus Christ defined and guided her roles as a wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother - a matriarch who leaves her family a lasting legacy of unconditional love.

She is survived by her beloved husband of 58 years, Dr. Charles E. McGowan; four children, Jonathan (Meredith) McGowan, Martha (Scott) Murphy, Paul (Sarah) McGowan, and Philip (Kate) McGowan; 19 grandchildren, Eli (Emily) McGowan, Isaac McGowan, Clara McGowan, Jacob McGowan, Maggie Murphy, Luke McGowan, Harper McGowan, Lydia McGowan, Mac Murphy, John McGowan, Mary Alice Murphy, Lilly McGowan, Eva Virginia McGowan, Abigail McGowan, Charlie McGowan, Hank McGowan, Jordan McGowan, Ali McGowan, and Maddie McGowan; one great grandchild, Erin McGowan; a sister, Lilly Van Story; and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; eight siblings, Paul Flye, Dot Aldridge, Del Rittenhouse, Dick Flye, Betsy Hedgepeth, Bobby Flye, Larry Flye and Buck Flye; and her stepmother, Sally Satterfield Flye.

A memorial service will be held on Monday, July 17, 2017 at 11:00 a.m. at Christ Presbyterian Church, 2323 Old Hickory Blvd. in Nashville. The family will greet friends from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. on Sunday, July 16, 2017 in the Fellowship Hall of Christ Presbyterian Church, 2323 Old Hickory Blvd. in Nashville.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to The Charles and Alice McGowan Scholarships at Westminster Theological Seminary ( https://givewts.com/ ).