Mary Nell Gower

Mary Nell Smith Gower, 89, beloved mother, grandmother (Nanny), and great-grandmother, passed away on Sunday, February 9, 2025. Mrs. Gower attended Sugar Hill High School and had two brothers – one older, one younger – and lived in Buford most of her life. On Christmas Eve of 1951, she married the love of her life, Charlie Thomas Gower, a marriage that lasted until Charlie’s death in 2014. Charlie and Mary Nell had four children: Michael, Kathy, Karen, and David. Mary Nell was an active member in Duncan Creek Congregational Church serving in many roles including being a Sunday School teacher, but always as an example of a Christian woman. Her leadership skills were an asset to The Buford Chapter of the Eastern Star (Chapter 317) for many years as she served as both Worthy Matron and a District Grand Deputy. She always gave her best at everything she did and retired after 27 years of service at the Lovable Company. Mrs. Gower is preceded in death by her husband, Charlie, her daughter, Karen Gower Phillips, her granddaughter, Jessica Michelle Gower, her parents, Jewell and Bessie Duncan Smith, and her brother Carl Horace Smith and his wife Doris Barnett Smith of Hattiesburg, MS. She is survived by her children Michael & Robin Gower, Kathy & Wayne Johnson, and David & Donell Gower; grandchildren Wayne & Ginger Johnson, Tommy & Nicole Gower, Tabatha Johnson, Steven & Haley Gower, Brandi Gower, and Christopher Gower; great-grandchildren: Rhett Johnson, Ariel Johnson, SJ Gower, Charlee Gower, Channing Gower, Ledger Gower, Caden Gower, Beckett Gower, and Sawyer Gower; brother and sister-in-law Rev. Dr. J. Harold & Janice Smith; nieces and nephews: Carla Smith Wynja & family, Susan Smith, Steven Smith & family, and Kevin Smith & family; son-in-law, Terry & Holly Phillips & Elijah. The family wants to thank Jamie Wood and the Agape Hospice Care group for going above and beyond to take care of our Mother – and us – during this time. Funeral Services will be held on Friday, February 14, 2025, at 1:00 p.m. in the Chapel of Flanigan Funeral Home, Buford, GA, with Dr. James Dee Dillin officiating. Interment will follow at the Duncan Creek Congregational Church Cemetery located in Buford, GA 30519. The family will receive friends at the Funeral Home on Thursday, February 13, 2025 from 2:00 p.m. until 4:00 p.m. and from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m.; then again on Friday, February 14, 2025 from 11:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m., time of the Service. Flowers will be accepted or donations may be made to Duncan Creek Congregational Church, 3868 Braselton Hwy., Buford, GA 30519.

Mary Nell Gower

June 9, 1935 - February 9, 2025