Laura Charlotte (Southard) McGowan passed away on Friday, July 27, 2018 at Salina Regional Health Center in Salina, Kansas at the age of 94. She was born on March 18, 1924 on the family farm in Rooks County, Kansas to the late Alfred James “A.J.” and Maude (Senior) Southard. She grew up in Rooks County and graduated from Stockton High School. She was united in marriage to Melvin Franklin McGowan in Stockton and they were blessed with two daughters, Louise and Melva.
Laura soon began working for Southwestern Bell Telephone as an Operator. Her work would take her to Salina, Kansas where she would eventually retire from the phone company. In her spare time, she loved to garden, nurturing flower beds and growing vegetables. She enjoyed knitting and embroidery work, and had a special place in her heart for the birds that came to visit. She always made sure they had food to eat and liked to watch them as they flitted about in the yard. But the time she loved the most was when she could be with her daughters and grandchildren whenever possible.
Laura is survived by her daughters Louise Bondurant and husband Gary of Kansas City, and Melva McGowan of Salina; grandchildren Matthew Bondurant, and Elizabeth Townsend; and great-granddaughters Sophia Townsend, and Tara Townsend.
She was preceded in death by her parents A.J. and Maude Southard; husband Melvin McGowan; brothers Sumner Southard, Ronald Southard, Alfred Southard, and Laurence Southard; sister Edith Southard; and nieces Mary Alice Ceridon, and Anita Kay Southard.
Funeral Services will be held at 1:00pm on Wednesday, August 1, 2018 at Plumer-Overlease Funeral Home in Stockton. Burial will follow at Stockton City Cemetery. Visitation will be from 11:00am until service time on Wednesday at the funeral home.
The post Laura Charlotte (Southard) McGowan appeared first on The Salina Post.