Kelley Reeves McGowan

IN MEMORY OF: Kelley Reeves McGowan Serving Location: CRAIN FUNERAL HOME – CAPE GIRARDEAU 829 North West End Boulevard, Cape Girardeau, Missouri Kelley Reeves McGowan, born in Pella, Iowa November 17, 1969, passed away in her home surrounded by family on March 8, 2024. Kelley was always an animal lover; she would help her dad feed the baby pigs and sheep. In high school, she was involved in drama & speech team, yearbook staff, newspaper staff, softball and National Honor Society. She graduated as valedictorian and made lifelong friends. Kelley received both her undergrad and graduate degrees from Northeast Missouri State, now called Truman State in Kirksville Missouri. She was a lil sis for Sigma Tau Gamma, involved in the speech pathology organization, and worked at the Golden Spike after turning 21. She made lifelong friends that did girls weekends 1-2 times per year. Kelley moved to Cape Girardeau in 1994 “for a year or so.” She worked as a speech-language pathologist at Saint Francis Medical Center her entire career. She valued the relationships she built with both patients and co-workers. In her time in Cape, she went on several mission trips (Paraguay, Mexico, and Russia) and she led or co-led small groups for many years and was involved in the church creative and drama teams. There she grew relationships who encouraged and supported her walk with Jesus. In 2005, she married her best friend John and was able to do more travelling (Jamaica, Australia, New Zealand, Morocco, Spain, Utah, Costa Rica, & Mexico). Kelley enjoyed golf trips with friends and took the opportunity to find unique tourist attractions like the Coon Dog Cemetery & the Giant Tree House. She lived in a neighborhood with the best and most caring neighbors. Kelley LOVED volunteering at Southeast Missouri Pets, which also provided the opportunity to make more friends who shared her love for animals. She fell in love every single time she volunteered and sometimes even fostered her new loves at home; she just wanted to make a difference in their lives. Kelley loved her family on both sides – her parents, her brother, plus nieces and nephews and at the end of the day was always content to be at home with her husband and her dogs. She is survived by her husband, John D. McGowan; her father, Guy B. Reeves; brother, Chris Reeves; aunts and uncles, Ramona Van Baale, Bonnie and Frank Sloan and Clarence Frazier; numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and in-laws; of course her fur babies, Troika & Keva. She was preceded in death by her mother, Elaine Van Wyk Reeves; her grandparents, Ben & Irma Nelle Van Wyk, Guy & Hazel Reeves; uncles and aunts, Phyllis Frazier, Ralph & Joan Van Wyk, Jerry Van Baale; nephew, Zeke Reeves and Reggie & Hutson. Kelley’s last wish of having her body donated to science was granted. She was always thinking of others, even until the very end. Celebration of life will be at 3:00 p.m. April 13, 2024 at La Croix Church, 3102 Lexington Ave and April 27 at 3:00 p.m. at Monroe Presbyterian Church in Monroe, Iowa. Visitation will begin at 1:00 p.m. for both services. In lieu of flowers or plants, please consider adopting a yucky old cat or an amazing dog in Kelley’s honor or make a donation to Southeast Missouri Pets. Crain Funeral Home in Cape Girardeau is in charge of arrangements.

Kelley Reeves McGowan

November 17, 1969 - March 8, 2024