Elaine Tillman McGowan passed away at her home on Saturday at the age of 96. She was born in Tuscaloosa, Alabama to parents Robert and Daisy Tillman. She attended the University of Alabama. A sixty-year resident of Huntsville, Elaine worked for Boeing and the University of Alabama-Huntsville in the accounting departments. She was honored by Huntsville Hospital for her 30 years of committed volunteer service in the Auxiliary. Elaine was a member of First Baptist Church, Huntsville and a former member of Mountain View Baptist Church, Huntsville.
She was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 38 years, Major Edward Browne “Mac” McGowan, brother, Robert Tillman and sister, Doris Tillman Ingle, both of Athens, Georgia. She is survived by stepson, Lt. Colonel Edward Browne McGowan, Jr., his wife, Jeannine of California and their children, Edward McGowan III, Marshall McGowan and Dianne McGowan and her children, Holly Ann and Billy Duffy; son, Benjamin McGowan (City Councilman of Albertville, Alabama), his wife, Jean and his children, Leslie House (Brian) and her daughter, Erin DeJesus of Huntsville and Paul McGowan (Kimberly) and their sons, Jacob and Harrison McGowan of Owens Crossroads, Alabama; son, Dr. William R. “Bobby” McGowan and his wife, Diane of Columbus, Georgia and their children, William Kerr McGowan (Leah) and their sons, William, Walter and Matthew McGowan of Athens, Georgia and Heather McGowan Drust (Benjamin) and their son, Mac of Monroe, Georgia; and by her sister-in-law, Ruby Tillman; nieces, Pam Manus (Renny), Beth Thomas (Larry), Kay Isley (Mark) and nephews, Mike Tillman and Mitch Ingle.
A funeral service to celebrate Elaine McGowan’s life will be held Saturday, August 29, 2020 at 2:00 at Laughlin Service Funeral Home. A private burial will be held.
In lieu of flowers, memorials be sent to First Baptist Church, Huntsville, Alabama.
