Mavis ‘Golla’ McGowan

Posted on September 19, 2025

Mrs. Mavis “Golla” McGowan passed away peacefully Sept. 15, 2025, at her daughter’s home in Perry at the age of 85. Golla was born in Perry Sept. 26, 1939, to Hughie Pope Poppell and Lula Bell Starling Poppell. She was born and raised on her family’s farm in Taylor County. It was there at a young age that she learned her strong work ethics and gained her deep knowledge and abiding faith in God. Golla was a life long resident of Taylor County where she attended school, worked, worshiped, raised her children and had a long and joyful life. Mrs. McGowan was a stunningly beautiful woman with many talents. She loved to sing and often reminisced about singing in the Glee Club in high school. She prided herself in being an excellent cook and anyone who ever ate at her table was well pleased. She also loved to sew, making many beautiful dresses and outfits for herself and her daughters throughout the years. She loved the Lord and spent hours reading her Bible and knew numerable verses by heart. Golla had three daughters with her first husband, Clyde Grantham, whom she met and married in 1957. She was loved and cherished by his family as well, and is still remembered as “Aunt Golla.” Besides being an exceptional homemaker, Golla made a career working at Martin’s Electronics where she made many good friends and met her loving late husband, Raymond McGowan. Together she and Raymond made a life together and traveled extensively throughout the United States, visiting almost every state. They enjoyed countless summer vacations, making memories that they shared through stories and pictures with all of their love ones. Golla was a loving wife, mother, daughter, sister and aunt, and will forever be cherished and loved by all who knew her. Mrs. McGowan was preceded in death by: her husband of 39 years, Raymond McGowan; her parents, Hughie and Lula Bell Poppell; her brothers, Weldon Poppell, Dan Poppell, Doug Poppell, Warren Poppell and Delano Poppell; her sisters, Sybil Archer, Era Bell Williams and Nancy Shaw; and her son-in-law, Jeff Bass. She is survived by: her daughters, Diane Bass, Barbara Weaver and her husband, Luke, and Brenda Blanton; grandchildren, Pamela Mash, Jessica Weekly, Johnathan Bass, Lori Yates, Luke Weaver Jr., Joshua Weaver and Ryan Blanton; an abundance of great-grandchildren; her siblings, Rachel Sapp, Kenny Poppell and Mary Ann Moulton; and brotherin-law, John Shaw; as well as a host of nieces and nephews. Funeral services for Mrs. McGowan were held Thursday, Sept. 18, at 11 a.m. at Burns Funeral Home Memorial Chapel with Brother Herbie High officiating. Interment will follow in Pisgah Cemetery. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service. Friends may send condolences to the family at www. joepburnsfuneralhomes. com.