Mavis McGowan Alder

Mavis McGowan Alder

Mavis McGowan Alder, 95, died Wednesday, February 22, 2017 at SECU Hospice House in Smithfield, N.C.

A lifelong resident of Greenville, she was preceded in death by her husband, Harold Earl Alder; her parents Lonnie and Eva McGowan; her brother (in World War II), Jesse Ervin McGowan; and her sister Nina Lou Schurrer.

She is survived by her daughter Ruth Alder Anderson and her husband Elwyn; two grandsons, Russell Anderson of Clayton, N.C. and Ryan Anderson of Fort Lauderdale. FL; her brother, Rev. Matthew McGowan and his wife Louise, of Gainesville, GA; her sisters, Lucille Diener of Greenville and Irene Brock of New Bern; and her brother Rev. Charles McGowan and his wife Alice, of Nashville, TN; and many nieces and nephews.

She was greatly loved and admired by not only her family, but by everyone who knew her. Her personality and unselfish spirit drew people to her. A great listener, she was always interested in you and blessed with a spirit of genuine interest and compassion for others. She was a natural leader. Being the oldest of 7 children, she set the pace and had a natural capacity to take charge which she did with grace.

She was a graduate of Chicod High School, Louisburg College, and East Carolina University, formerly East Carolina Teachers College where she earned a bachelor and master's degree in education. A passionate educator, she loved children and was energized by the opportunity to teach and influence them.

Beginning her career teaching as a second grade in Angier, N.C.; she was a well-loved and greatly admired teacher at Third Street School and Wahl-Coats Elementary School which was connected to the Department of Education at ECU. "Practice teachers" reveled in the opportunity to observe her teach and the almost magical way that she motivated people to learn. Even as a young child, she was known to regularly organize her younger brothers and sisters in a classroom setting and teach them. It was always her dream to be an educator, and God brought that to fulfillment to the benefit of thousands of children she influenced over the years.

She was a deeply committed Christian and very active in her church. She professed faith in Christ at an early age through a mission Sunday School in the Hollywood community which was led by a visionary pastor and the leaders of First Presbyterian Church, Greenville. An ordained elder, a life-long Sunday School teacher and a member of Presbyterian Women, she was greatly committed to Hollywood Presbyterian Church throughout her life. She was a beloved wife, mother, sister and grandmother. One of her greatest joy was spending time with her beloved grandsons.

Following a private graveside service at Pinewood Memorial Park, there will be a Memorial Service on Saturday at 2 pm at Hollywood Presbyterian Church. A reception will follow.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be given to Hollywood Presbyterian Church and designated for the Mr. and Mrs. Lonnie McGowan Endowment Fund or the church Memorial Fund.

Officiating will be Rev. Keith Cobb, pastor of Hollywood Presbyterian Church; Rev. Matthew McGowan; Rev. Charles McGowan and Rev. Rebecca McGowan Spooner.

Online condolences at www.wilkersonfuneralhome.com

Arrangements by Wilkerson Funeral Home & Crematory, Greenville.

As published in The Daily Reflector