Funeral services for Joe Howard McGowan, 79, of Colquitt were Wednesday, Feb. 18, at the Colquitt First Baptist Church with Drs. Ron McCaskill and Carl Marshall officiating.

Interment followed at Friendship Memorial Gardens in Donalsonville, Ga.

Mr. McGowan died Sunday, Feb. 15, 2009, at his residence. He was a retired mechanic with Georgia Pacific and was a member of Colquitt First Baptist Church. Mr. McGowan had a love of horses, and he was a member of the Bainbridge Trail Blazers and an active member of the Happy Campers RV Club. Mr. McGowan was preceded in death by the mother of his children, Ilene McGowan; one son, Robert McGowan, and three siblings. 

He is survived by his wife, Annie Pearl McGowan of Colquitt, Ga.; a son, Ray McGowan of Albany, Ga.; a daughter, Beverly Carr of Donalsonville; two stepsons, Les Grimes of Blakely, Ga., and Clint Grimes of Crawfordville, Fla.; one stepdaughter, Lyn Grimes of Perry, Ga.; two sisters, Donnie Nowlin of Americus, Ga., and Pauline Chevez of Americus, Ga.; 10 grandchildren, and a number of nieces and nephews.

Colquitt Funeral Home in Colquitt, Ga., was in charge of arrangements.