April 7, 2026, 99, Mount Olive – Mary Ophelia Manley McGowan, affectionately referred to as Ophelia, was born on November 4, 1926, in Mt. Olive, NC. She passed away peacefully at home on Monday April 7, 2026. She was surrounded by two of her children, Evelyn and Denise, who lovingly cared for her during her illness, along with her beloved son-in-law, Lafayette.
A loving and devoted wife, Ophelia was married to William J. McGowan for nearly 80 years, until his passing in February 2024. Together, they were blessed with twelve children, one of whom, Michael, would pass away at nine months old.Ophelia was the youngest of three children born to William Allen Manley and Mamie Raynor Manley of Sampson County, NC. She is survived by her 102 year old sister, Eula Manley Kerr McCoy of Fayetteville, NC. Her brother William Manley preceded her in death.
She grew up in a loving home, where Christian values guided their daily lives. She and her siblings were raised under the watchful eyes of strong Godfearing parents who taught them to love God, pray, study the Bible, and to always carry His Word in their hearts. As a young girl, she took to heart learning the Word of God, faithfully attending church, bible study, and prayer meetings with her parents.
Her love for God and his word was unmatched. She was a bible scholar, an avid reader, and lifelong learner. Her early Christian upbringing would play a prominent role in the later years of her life. Despite her illness, she would often without prompting begin to pray effortlessly and quote scriptures verbatim, all held within her heart. Her Christian upbringing influenced how she cared for her family, creating a loving, nurturing and supportive home for her husband, William, and their children. Her love extended to everyone she met. She was known for her excellent home cooking and always having a place left at the table for anyone who might stop by to visit.
She learned early the value of education under the tutelage of her mother, who was a schoolteacher and evangelist serving in the St. Delight Holiness Church, unprecedented roles for a woman at the time. She learned the importance of hard work, independence, and resilience, being raised on her family’s’ productive farm in Sampson County. She attended elementary school at Wesley Elementary School and graduated from Carver High School, in Mt. Olive, NC. While she and William were raising their children and caring for their growing family, she also worked full-time for 25 years as Secretary and financial assistant for Lightner Memorial Funeral Home in Goldsboro, NC.
Ophelia and William were members of the Word of Truth Christian Fellowship in Goldsboro, NC, where they were embraced and loved as family. They dearly loved their Pastor and church family. Under the spiritual leadership of the Word of Truth Christian Fellowship their faith continued to grow strong through involvement in Missions and other church ministries. They were also previously members of their beloved Shady Grove Missionary Baptist Church, Mt. Olive, NC and Bible Faith Missionary Baptist Church, Goldsboro, NC, where they served as Deacon and Mother of the Church, and sang in the choir.
Ophelia will forever live in our hearts and memories. She leaves to cherish her life and memory her sister, Eula Kerr McCoy of Fayetteville, NC and her lifelong friend since high school, Doretha Branch of Lagrange, NC. Her children: Larry McGowan of Wallace, NC, Eldress Ethel (Dwight) Peterson of Goldsboro, NC, Gloria (DoArthur) Royall of Ft. Washington, MD, Joseph (Irene) McGowan of Thoreau, NM; Dr. Annette (Rev. Dr. Dennis) Haggray of Bel Air, MD; Charles (Adrian) of Goldsboro, NC; Evelyn (LaFayette) Peacock of Mt. Olive, NC; Jimmy (Valerie) McGowan of Savannah, GA.; Ricardo (Angelia) McGowan of Goldsboro, NC; Elder Denise Simmons of Mt. Olive, NC, Stephen McGowan of Jacksonville, FL.
She also leaves to cherish her life and memory, 20 grandchildren, 26 great-grandchildren, as well as a host of nieces and nephews, cousins, and special friends.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that any gifts, cards, plants, and condolences be sent to Denise Simmons, 319 Thunder Swamp Rd., Mt. Olive, NC 28365. Or, you may choose to make a contribution to the Word of Truth Christian Fellowship Missions, in the name of Mary Ophelia McGowan.
The family wishes to thank each of you for your loving kindness and generosity.
Professional services are entrusted to McIntyre Funeral Home, LLC.
