Gloria Carowan

Gloria May Smith Carowan, 84 of Newton died Sunday, May 4, 2014 at Abernethy Laurels. Born September 6, 1929 in Chattanooga, TN, she was the daughter of the late Clarence W. Smith and Bessie Campbell Smith. Gloria graduated in 1947 as Valedictorian of Central High School in Chattanooga. She continued her studies at the University of Chattanooga, majoring in Piano. Prior to moving to Newton in 1978, she and her husband Dallas lived in Morristown, TN. She enjoyed music and gardening and was a member of the Hickory Music Club and Hickory Garden Club. She taught piano lessons for many years both in Tennessee and North Carolina. She served as pianist and organist at Hillcrest Baptist Church in Morristown, TN and at First Presbyterian Church in Newton. She was a longtime member of First Baptist Church in Hickory. She obtained her private pilot's license in the 1960's and enjoyed co-piloting their Cessna 182 with her husband, D.T. After moving to Newton, she owned and operated Carowan Health and Beauty Center. Gloria lived her life intent on glorifying her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. In addition to her husband of 56 years, D.T. Thaxton Carowan, Jr. of the home; two daughters, Beth Carowan Raines of Charlotte and Dee Dee Carowan Filiatreault and husband Bill of Niantic, CT; a son, Jeff Carowan and wife Jenni of Lewisville, NC; a sister, Pam Boone of Fairhope, AL and six grand-children, Hayley and Austin Raines, Will and Lucy Filiatreault and Andy and Sam Carowan survive her. Her first husband, Paige Couch and three sisters, Mary Ruth Willhoit, Joyce Williams and Nan Nave preceded her in death. The funeral will be 2:00pm Saturday at First Baptist Church in Hickory with the Rev. Phillip Reynolds, Rev. Pat Pearce and Chaplain Larry Bolick officiating. The family will receive friends from 12:30-2:00pm Saturday at the church prior to the service. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to First Baptist Church, 339 Second Ave. NW Hickory, NC 28601. Please sign the online guestbook at www.JenkinsFuneralHome.net. The Carowan family has entrusted arrangements to Jenkins Funeral Home in Newton-#828-464-1555.