Dr. Shirley Jean Woodford McKowen

McKowen, Dr. Shirley Jean Woodford "I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me" was the motto of a woman who professed humor to be the best medicine. She will long be remembered for her vast repertoire of jokes, her love of children and her lifetime enthusiasm for the game of tennis. Dr. Shirley Jean Woodford McKowen, affectionately known as "Granny" and "Miz Shirley," died surrounded by her family on Sunday, July 23, 2006, at 10:26 a.m. at Lakewood Quarters Assisted Living, Baton Rouge. She was born Shirley Jean Sutton in Cleveland, Ohio, on Sept. 23, 1929, the youngest of five girls. Shortly after her birth, she was placed in an orphanage and was adopted when she was 3 years old by Frank and Ruth Woodford of Detroit. At the age of 7, she and her parents moved to Baton Rouge, where she attended Dufrocq Elementary and First Presbyterian Church. She graduated from Baton Rouge High School, LSU and LSU School of Medicine. She completed her internship and residency at the University of Michigan Hospital and Medical School in Detroit. Dr. Shirley Woodford was the first female doctor at the Baton Rouge Clinic. She was a member of the East Baton Rouge Parish Medical Society, American Medical Association, First Presbyterian Church, Alpha Delta Pi sorority, Spinsters, Alpha Epsilon Iota, Harlequin Dance Club and Quota Club. On May 16, 1959, she married Henry G. McKowen II. She was the mother of four children, Jeanie McKowen Thuneman and husband Chris of Pearland, Texas, Wayne Henry McKowen and wife Erin of Zachary, Ann McKowen Gerald and husband Todd of Baton Rouge, and Allie McKowen Raridon and husband Jonathan "Jack" of Fishers Island, N.Y. She had eight grandchildren, Jennifer Thuneman Cleary and husband Paul, Jolie Thuneman, Steven Thuneman, David Thuneman, Austin Gerald, Hudson Gerald, Adeline McKowen and Parker McKowen; and two great-grandchildren, Connor and Madeline Cleary. After leaving her medical practice to raise her four children, Shirley worked part-time at the LSU Infirmary, volunteered at Earl K. Long Medical Center, Westdale Elementary and Our Lady of the Lake ElderMed. Her family wishes to thank the women of her Bible study for their many years of companionship and spiritual guidance. They also wish to thank her caregivers, Nate Brown and Sheila, Edna, Beatrice, Josie, Alice, Veronica, Carrie, Tress, Helen and Barbara for their long hours and many selfless acts. She was preceded in death by her adoptive parents. She is survived by her husband of 47 years, children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, numerous nieces and nephews; a sister, Lynn Henderson and husband Troy of Memphis, Tenn.; sisters-in-law, Beryl Morris of Zachary and Pearl Slaughter of Baker; and brothers-in-law, Alex C. McKowen Jr. and John G. McKowen and wife Marilyn, all of Jackson. Pallbearers will be her nephews, Harry Morris Jr., Martin Morris, Keith Morris, Alex McKowen III, "Spec" Slaughter, James Slaughter, Grif McKowen, Mike McKowen, Troy Henderson III and Joseph Henderson. Visitation at Rabenhorst Funeral Home, 825 Government St., on Thursday, July 27, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Visitation at First Presbyterian Church parlor on Friday from 8:30 a.m. until service at 10:30 a.m. in the main sanctuary. Interment will follow in Young Family Cemetery, Zachary. The family would like to give special thanks to Mr. John S. Campbell Jr., Dr. Chris McCanless, longtime friend and colleague Dr. Richard Robin, and the staff and residents of Lakewood Quarters. They would also like to thank special friends, Bettie Anderson, Bernice Harris and Kathleen Smith. The family requests that in lieu of flowers donations be sent to First Presbyterian Church, LSU School of Medicine or Hospice of Greater Baton Rouge.