Kelley Reeves McGowan

Kelley Reeves McGowan, born in Pella, Iowa, Nov. 17, 1969, passed away Friday, March 8, 2024, in her home, surrounded by family.

She was always an animal lover. She would help her dad feed the baby pigs and sheep. In high school, she was involved in the drama and speech team, yearbook staff, newspaper staff, softball and National Honor Society. She graduated as valedictorian and made lifelong friends.

Kelley received both her undergraduate and graduate degrees from Northeast Missouri State University, now called Truman State, in Kirksville. She was a "Lil Sis" for Sigma Tau Gamma, was involved in the speech pathology organization and worked at the Golden Spike after turning 21. She made lifelong friends who did girls' weekends one or two 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 Girardeau, 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 that encouraged and supported her walk with Jesus.

In 2005, she married her best friend, John, and was able to do more traveling -- Jamaica, Australia, New Zealand, Morocco, Spain, Utah, Costa Rica and Mexico. Kelley enjoyed golf trips with friends and took the opportunity to find unique tourist attractions, such as the Coon Dog Cemetery and 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, 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; 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; and of course her fur babies, Troika and Keva.

Kelley was preceded in death by her mother, Elaine Van Wyk Reeves; grandparents, Ben and Irma Nelle Van Wyk and Guy and Hazel Reeves; uncles and aunts, Phyllis Frazier, Ralph and Joan Van Wyk and Jerry Van Baale; nephew, Zeke Reeves; and her dogs, Reggie and 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.

Celebrations of life will be at 3 p.m. Saturday, April 13, at La Croix Church, 3102 Lexington Ave. in Cape Girardeau and at 3 p.m. Saturday, April 27, at United Presbyterian Church in Monroe, Iowa. Visitation will begin at 1 p.m. before both services.

In lieu of flowers or plants, consider adopting a yucky old cat or an amazing dog in Kelley's honor or donate to Southeast Missouri Pets.

Crain Funeral Home in Cape Girardeau is in charge of arrangements.