“Heaven rejoices while the earth cries.”

Gladys Marie McGowan departed this life on March 27, 2016, at the age of 91.

She left this earthly life and transitioned to her period of eternal rest at her residence in Bogalusa.

She leaves to cherish her memories: three daughters, Pearley Smith of Bogalusa, Valerie Thompson of Varnado, and Edna L. “Bookie” (Albert) Barnes of Columbia, Miss.; one son, Joe Henry (Dapahune) Alford of Norco; one sister, Pauline Jefferson of Powder Springs, Ga.; a sister-in-law, Martha Etta Cowart of Marrero; 21 grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; and a host of nieces, nephews, and other relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by: her parents, Sarah and Howard Cowart; four brothers, Harold, Jewel, Homer Edward and E.J. Cowart; two sisters, Rosie Alexander and Irma Foxworth; one son, Oscar Ross; one daughter, Jerry Smith; three grandchildren, Willie Ray Cowart, Rogers Smith and Richard Smith; and one great-great-grandchild, Kennedy Martin.

Visitation will be held on Friday, April 8, 2016, at the chapel of Crain and Sons Funeral Home in Bogalusa, from 2 p.m. until 6 p.m.

The funeral service will be held on Saturday, April 9, at Bethlehem Missionary Baptist Church, located at 272 Darbun Road in Kokomo, Miss., at 1 p.m. with the Rev. Rodney Smith officiating.

Interment will follow in the Bethlehem Missionary Baptist Church Cemetery in Kokomo.

Crain and Sons Funeral Home of Bogalusa is in charge of arrangements.

Sign the guestbook online at www.crainandsons.com.