Minnie Lou (Hopkins) McGowan

Minnie Lou McGowan
March 21, 1941 – October 8, 2023

Minnie Lou Hopkins McGowan, 82, of Columbia, died on Sunday, October 8, 2023, at Gates Health and Rehab in Gatesville, NC.

Minnie Lou was born in Tyrrell County on March 21, 1941, to the late Judson Fleetwood and Clara Ludford Hopkins.  She was married to Alvin McGowan who preceded her in death.

Minnie Lou was a member of the Columbia Missionary Baptist Church, where she was an active member, participating in choir and serving on the Nominating, Decorating, Homecoming, Benevolence, Hospitality and Building and Grounds Committees.  She was also a member of the former Columbia Rotary Club.  She worked at the local DMV offices for thirty-eight years, and later as an office assistant at Bryan Funeral Service for several years.

Minnie Lou loved her flowers and tending to her garden, she enjoyed hosting garden parties for friends. Her cat Tigger was loved and a great companion.  She deeply loved her family.

The family will visit with friends from 6:00-8:00 p.m. on Tuesday October 10, 2023, at Bryan Funeral Service, Columbia.

A funeral service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, October 11, 2023, at Columbia Missionary Baptist Church with Prudencio Casas officiating.  Burial will follow at Azalea Memorial Gardens, Columbia.

She is survived by her son Phillip “Bud” McGowan of Columbia; and three daughters: Jan Ochoa (Tony), April Kanney (David), and Dawn Vanhorn (Ricky), all of Columbia; six grandchildren, six great-grandchildren and a special family friend Tim Ryan.

In addition to her parents and husband she was preceded in death by two half brothers and a half sister:  Ephraim Cooper, Thomas Hopkins, and Lula Mae Shanahan.

Memorial donations may be made to Kirstin Rescue Project at Tidewater Animal Hospital P.O. Box 280, Roper, NC 27970.

Arrangements by Bryan Funeral Service, Columbia.