Mrs. Golar Lewis

Mrs. Golar Lewis Church passed on Wed., Nov. 30, 2016, at her home in River Falls, Ala.

Born Dec. 30, 1944, in River Falls, Mrs. Church went away to attend college at Alabama A. & M. University where she earned her bachelor’s degree majoring in home economics and early childhood education. She continued her education by earning a master’s degree in school guidance and counseling from Troy State University. After graduating from college she returned to River Falls, and worked in the Andalusia City School System for 30 years until she retired. Mrs. Church was a member of the New Pilgrim Baptist Church, and was an active member in the community.

She taught home economics at Andalusia Middle School, and was also an academic guidance counselor at Andalusia Middle and High School. Mrs. Church believed that all students could make a positive difference within the community in which they lived through pursuing a vocation or a career through obtaining a higher education.

Left to cherish her memory is her devoted husband, Isaac Church; her niece-daughter Shekiah Flowers Stinson (Narvaez); her grandson, N. LaBrauns Stinson II; and her sisters, Lynda Lewis Flowers, Elizabeth Cowan McNeal and Johnny Cowan (Pamela).

Home-going service for Mrs. Golar Lewis Church will be held today, Sat., Dec. 10, at 11a.m., at the New Pilgrim Baptist Church, 25266 Covington Street, River Falls, AL 36476. Family visitation was Friday at Kirk’s Funeral Chapel, 501 Martin L. King Jr. Expressway, Andalusia, AL 36420, between the hours, 4:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that you donate to the Golar Lewis Church Scholarship Fund.

 

Elmer Guy Cowen

Mr. Elmer Guy Cowen, 89, of Montgomery, formerly of Andalusia and Brewton, passed away Tues., Dec. 6, 2016, at Capitol Hill Health Care in Montgomery.

Mr. Cowen graduated from Auburn University where he earned a bachelor’s degree in business and was a member of the Delta Sigma Phi fraternity. He was a zealous Auburn Tigers football fan. He later graduated from Troy State with a bachelor’s degree in accounting. He was a long time member of the Church of Christ.

Graveside services will be at 2:30 p.m. Sun., Dec. 11, at Andalusia Memorial Cemetery with Brother Pat Jarvis officiating and Foreman Funeral Home directing. The family will visit with friends at the cemetery.

He is survived by two daughters, Lynette Eakin and Brenda Cowen of Montgomery; a son and daughter-in-law, Joe and Vickie Cowen of Montgomery; five grandchildren, Heath (Jennifer) Cowen, Jodi (Clay) Cowen Henley, Allison Eakin Atkisson, Dana Eakin Blanchard, and Trent Eakin; seven great-grandchildren, Ally Blanchard, Tyler and Dawson Atkisson, Maryanna, Aubrey, and Lyla Cowen, and Madilynn Henley; one sister, Nell Cowen of Pensacola; a brother, Bob Cowen of Pensacola; sister-in-law, Grace Brogden of Andalusia; and many nieces and nephews.

He is preceded in death by his wife, Janette Cowen and sister, Louise Cowen Lynn.

The family asks memorials be made to the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America, 322 Eighth Avenue 7th Floor, New York, NY 10001.

Family and friends unable to attend may sign an online registry at www.foremanfuneralhome.com.

 

Harold V.

Rodriguez

Harold V. Rodriguez, age 84, a native of New Orleans, La., and long-time resident of Mobile, Ala., passed away Nov. 29, 2016, in Mobile, Ala. He married M. Jewel Taylor of Red Level, Ala., on May 12, 1956; they were married 60 years. Harold completed BS, MS, and PhD degrees in chemical engineering from Louisiana State University. Afterwards, he and the family moved to Irving, Texas, where he worked for Mobil Oil Company. In 1969 the family moved to Mobile, Ala., where he took a job as a chemical engineering professor for the University of South Alabama. In 1976 he was appointed dean of the College of Engineering, a position he kept until 1989. He retired from the University in 1993 after a position as interim vice president for academic affairs.

He was the son of Samuel Joseph Rodriguez and Cecile Ellen Bacon Rodriguez of New Orleans, La. He was predeceased by his parents; four brothers, Samuel Joseph Rodriguez, Jr., Andrew John Rodriguez, Richard Rodriguez, and Donald James Rodriguez, Sr.; and one nephew: Donald James Rodriguez, Jr.

He is survived by his beloved wife, Jewel; three daughters and one son, Joan Ellen Rodriguez Thames (William Clay), Scott Harold Rodriguez (Mary Frances Barnes), Sharon Anne Rodriguez, and Susan Elaine Rodriguez Welch (Robert V. J.); four grandchildren, William Andrew Thames, Daniel Clay Thames, Sarah Taylor Welch, and Holly Elizabeth Welch; one great-granddaughter, Piper Reese Thames; niece, Deborah Ann Rodriguez Williams; nephew, Bruce Charles Rodriguez, and other relatives.

In the 50th anniversary card to his wife, he wrote, “Our fifty years of marriage have been an experience I had only hoped for, but never really expected to come true. You made it real. Life has been an exhilarating mixture of happiness, joy, contentment, expectation and challenge as we worked together to raise our children and provide a happy home for all. I love you more than words can express, and I hope we will have many more years together. I will always love you and be with you my Darling, and God willing, I will be with you in the next life. May peace and love be with you always.”