Effie Q Gowder

Effie Quesenberry Gowder, entered into eternal rest on February 1, 2012. Mrs. Gowder was born in Sylvatus, Virginia, as one of nine children. She was the daughter of the late James Floyd Quesenberry and Leora Surratt Quesenberry. Mrs. Gowder graduated from Sylvatus High School and went on to college in Charlotte, North Carolina, graduating with a Degree in Business. After graduation, she went to work for Interstate Freight Trucking Company, where she met and married her husband, Robert Lee Gowder. During WWII, they moved to Marietta, Georgia so her husband could work for Bell Aviation. They had three children, Vivian Lee, Morris Odell and John Keith. They moved to Charleston, South Carolina where the two of them opened the Gowder Automotive and Farm Machinery Company on Rivers Avenue. Mrs. Gowder handled all aspects of the bookkeeping involved with the business. In 1955, the business was moved to Summerville, South Carolina. In addition to that business, they opened a grocery store which Mrs. Gowder ran for the family. Her husband died in 1960 and she was left to raise her three children alone. Mrs. Gowder was an active member of Summerville Baptist Church. She was a Sunday School Teacher, sang in the Senior Choir, and was a member of the Joy Fellowship. Mrs. Gowder worked as a bookkeeper for the Southern Ice Company in Summerville. She was a charter member of the American Business Women’s Association Jasmine Chapter in Summerville, where she was a former President, served on several committees, and was elected Woman of the Year in 1984. In 1989, she retired after 24 ½ years of service for the Naval Weapons Station and Polaris Missile Facility. After retirement, she spent most of her time gardening, cooking, and treasuring time spent with her daughter at the Boonehill Flower Shop. She is survived by her daughter, Vivian (Steve) Grooms, daughter-in-law, Jeanne S. Gowder, son: J. Keith (Juanita) Gowder, four grandchildren; and eight great grandchildren; sister, Joline Hull of Hendersonville, North Carolina; brother, Randolph Quesenberry of Hillsville, Virginia; and a host of nieces and nephews on both sides of the family. She was predeceased by her husband, Robert Lee Gowder; her son, Morris Odell Gowder and grandsons, David Blake Gowder and Robert Steven Grooms; her brothers, Kyle Quesenberry, Jack Quesenberry, Floyd Quesenberry, John Quesenberry, her sisters, Emily Marie Kaney and Minnie Rose. Funeral service will be held Sunday, February 5, 2012 at 3 o’clock at Summerville Baptist Church. Burial will follow at Dorchester Memory Gardens, Summerville. Family and friends may call at the church on Sunday afternoon from 2 o’clock until the hour of service. Flowers will be accepted or memorials may be made to Summerville Baptist Church, 417 Central Avenue, Summerville, SC 29483.

Effie Q Gowder

July 22, 1921 - February 1, 2012