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Faye Fewell Gowen was born on December 24, 1945 in Bainbridge, GA and passed away on February 19, 2024 on St. Simons Island, GA surrounded by her family. Faye was the second daughter born to the late Glenn and Wynelle McNair Fewell. She was raised on her grandfather’s farm in Decatur County surrounded by her father’s parents, George and Ella Holt Fewell, and many cousins, uncles and aunts. Her maternal grandparents were also in Decatur County and she spent time with them also. She attended the small school of Bell Dixon, 1st-8th grade, with her cousins. The total enrollment was usually 50-60 students. There were two grades in each room. After graduating from Climax High School in 1963, Faye enrolled in Valdosta State College where she met her husband, James F. Gowen, through a mutual friend. They were married June 27, 1965. They lived in North Augusta, SC while he attended the Medical College of Georgia and she worked at the C&S Bank. After his graduation in 1968, they lived in Washington, PA for his internship, Jacksonville, FL for his residency, and at Ft. Sill, OK for his two years in the United States Army. In 1974, they moved to the Golden Isles and this has been their home ever since.

Faye was very proud of her children: Michael and his wife, Stacy Strayhorn Gowen, and their children (Randall and Lucy), Lesli and her husband, John McQuigg, and their children (Mary Lee, Jimmy, Silas, Kathleen, Hank, and Luke), Zachary and his wife, Liz Moody Gowen, and their children (Peggy Sue, Hope, and Genie). She stayed busy with the children’s activities and later with the grandchildren’s activities. Their friends were always welcome at her house. She considered herself very fortunate to have a loving husband, children, and grandchildren that all live nearby. Faye was a member of several organizations. She most loved spending time with her family, friends, and extended family. She had great parents, siblings, and in-laws. She was preceded in death by her parents, Glenn and Wynelle Fewell, her in-laws, Randall and Merle Clark Gowen, and a grandson, Hudson Clark McQuigg. In addition to her husband, children, and grandchildren, she is survived by her siblings and in-laws: brother Daniel and his wife Marlis Fewell of Climax, GA, sister Judy and her husband Roger Whitfield of Cairo, GA, and sister Marcia Fewell of Bainbridge, GA.  She is also survived by her husband’s siblings and in-laws: brother Randy and his wife Frances Gowen of Harrietts Bluff, GA, sister Donna Brock of St. Simons Island, sister Gayle and her husband Jim Redding of Harrietts Bluff GA, and sister Lynne and her husband Bob Killian of St. Simons Island, GA. She had many nieces, nephews and Fewell and McNair cousins. Her husband’s cousins were also her cousins and she was especially fond of his surviving uncle Billy Clark.

Faye wishes to be remembered as “a good mother who taught her children to be good citizens, and taught them to treat others as you want to be treated.” She had a great life. “Every blade in the field – Every leaf in the forest – lays down its life in its season as beautifully as it was taken up”. Henry David Thoreau.

Friends and family are invited to attend a celebration of her life on Saturday, March 9, at Village Creek Landing from 4-6 pm. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation in her name to a charity of your choice.