The Newspaper of Record since 1878
Mrs. Carolea Faye McGowen of Globe, Arizona, passed away on Sunday, January 7, 2018 at the age of 85.
Carolea was born to parents Robert and Bertha Hensley on October 6, 1932 in Tucson, AZ. She grew up as the eldest of four children and attended Globe High School. In 1951, she married her high school sweetheart, Ben N. McGowen. After moving around the country for 10 years the McGowens settled in Scottsdale where they raised their daughter Amy Jo McGowen (Haywood) and son Robert.
Carolea sang with the Sweet Adelines International group and was very active with Campfire Girls for many years while she also worked for The United Way of Arizona. She was also an active member of the First Baptist Church of Scottsdale where she sang in the choir. She was a prolific seamstress, knitters and crocheter.
Carolea is survived by her daughter and son in-law Amy Jo and Douglas Haywood; her son and daughter in-law Robert and Lisa McGowen (Uber); her sister, Edith Hensley (Harkins)and Leroy Harkins; three grandchildren; Andrew Haywood, Mackenzie McGowen and Kelsey McGowen as well as many nieces, nephews and cousins whom she loved dearly. She is preceded in death by her husband, Benjamin N. McGowen, her brother George Raymond Hensley, sister Georgia Ruth Smith and grandson Ryan Haywood.
A celebration of Carolea’s life will be held at Casa Reynoso (open house) in Tempe on February 17, 2018 from 11-3 p.m.
In lieu of flowers the family suggests memorials in Carolea’s name to: Globe High School Alumni Scholarship fund, The Crossing Hospice or a charity that you are passionate about.
