Rachel Gowan

Celebration Service for Rachel Viola Gowan

Services for the celebration of life of Rachel Viola Key Gowan, 93, who died on Wednesday, August 29, 2018, at her home in Ingram, Texas, will be at 2 pm Sunday, September 2, 2018, at the Hunt Baptist Church, 112 Church Lane, Hunt, TX 78024, with Pastor John Collis officiating the service.
Interment to follow at Nichols Cemetery, 110 Cemetery Loop, Ingram, TX.

Visitation will be held from 4-6 pm Saturday Sept. 1, 2018, at Kerrville Funeral Home, 1221 Junction Hwy, Kerrville, Texas and from 1:30 - 2 pm at Hunt Baptist Church before the funeral service.

On August 2, 1925, in Ingram, Texas, a small little-ranch town at the forks of Johnson Creek and the Guadalupe River, a baby girl was born in the home of the Village Blacksmith and his wife, Roy and Gussie Key. They named her Rachel Viola Key, but she was known as Viola. As Viola grew, she attended school at Ingram until the fifth grade when she transferred to Tivy School in Kerrville, where she graduated in 1944. As a child, Viola loved to play with her dolls, swing in her yard up as high as she could go, visit her dad at his blacksmith shop, sit on a rail fence and watch the cowboys herd the cattle through town, play church with her brother Harold Gene, roller skate at the local roller rink, and always loved taking care of babies and children.
Viola met Warren Gowan, a U.S. Navy Sea Bee, at the local skating rink. They fell in love and were married on Oct 1, 1944. Since World War II was raging, it wasn't very long until Warren wound up in the south Pacific islands building landing strips, hangers and roads. Even though he suffered a significant war time injury, Warren was fortunate to come back home to a loving wife, Viola. Warren and Viola had three children, Warrenetta, Benny Roy, and Ronny. But it did not stop there. Viola was mother to every kid that came to her house to play. There was always a big pitcher of Kool-Aid and fresh baked cookies - enough for everyone. Everyone was welcome in her home - ''have you eaten? Just a minute, I'll fix you something'', she would say. She was a great cook and had a loving heart for everyone.
Viola spent most of her time in the loving home that Warren built for them shortly after they got married. She never drove a car, but she influenced so many by sharing her love to all. Viola cared for many children in her home for many years. She especially loved her time with all the Robertson family, who have loved her in many ways.
It is impossible to count or know how many children and grown-ups' lives she touched with her generosity as well as her kind and loving ways. Rest assured, If Jesus came to her house dressed as a beggar, he didn't leave hungry.
Viola has gone to meet Jesus again. This time, they will laugh together as they recall the many times He came to her house and left with a full stomach and a bag of cookies, as well as a happy, wonderful feeling about the truly gracious woman He always love to visit. After all, God is Love - you just can't define love any better than Rachel Viola Gowan - It is what she did and it is what she was.

One of the very most important things to Viola was her love for her Lord Jesus Christ. She accepted Christ as her Savior young in life and has always trusted in Him. Viola grew up going to church. Her father, Roy Key, was a deacon at the First Baptist Church, Ingram, Texas, and her mother helped with missions. Viola taught Sunday School and Vacation Bible School many years. She loved all her church family at Hunt Baptist Church, especially the ladies in her prayer group who met in her home until her death.

Viola was preceded in death by her husband of 63 years, Warren Gowan, brothers Roscoe and Harold Gene Key, and daughter, Warrenetta Neal Villegas.

She is survived by her two sons, Benny Roy (Simonetta) of Nacogdoches, Texas and Ronny Gowan of Ingram, Texas. Viola dearly loved her grandchildren, Cody Neal (Tammy) of Pipecreek, Texas, Corey Neal (Cassandra) of Longmeadow, Mass., Chanda Neal Berryman (Bobby) of Brownsville, Oregon, Roy Gowan (Rebecca) of Ft. Worth, Texas, and Joshua Gowan of Magnolia, Texas.
She also adored her 18 great grandchildren (Lexi, Carlee Ann, Candon, Azrael, Serenity, Greyden, Shayne, Matthew, Jobyn, Julia, Bailey, Chloe, Delayne, Anna Marie, Elizabeth, Boss, Rachel, and Reese. Honored family includes Margie Graham, Elizabeth Robertson Olson, and the rest of the Dickie and Ann Robertson family of Kerrville, Texas.

Special thanks to her wonderful, devoted caregiver, Becca Collis, who has helped us keep Viola in her home. Also the family appreciates all the care of her church family and prayer group friends. The Hill Country Hospice ladies became like family as they cared for Viola for over two years.

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be given to the charity of your choice.


Arrangements are under the direction and personal care of the professionals at Kerrville Funeral Home. (830) 895-5111

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