Kelley Reeves McGowan

Kelley Reeves McGowan, born in Pella Iowa November 17, 1969, passed away in her home surrounded by family on March 8, 2024. She was preceded in death by her mother Elaine Van Wyk Reeves; her grandparents Ben & Irma Nelle Van Wyk, Guy & Hazel Reeves; uncles and aunts Phyllis Frazier, Ralph & Joan Van Wyk, Jerry Van Baale; nephew Zeke Reeves and Reggie & Hutson. She is survived by her husband John D. McGowan, her father Guy B. Reeves, brother Chris Reeves, and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, in-laws and aunts Ramona Van Baale, Bonnie and uncle Frank Sloan, uncle Clarence Frazier & of course Troika & Keva.

Kelley was always an animal lover, she would help her dad feed the baby pigs and sheep. In high school she was involved in drama & speech team, yearbook staff, newspaper staff, softball and National Honor Society. She graduated as valedictorian and made lifelong friends.

Kelley received both her undergrad and graduate degrees from Northeast Missouri State, now called Truman State in Kirksville Missouri. She was a lil sis for Sigma Tau Gamma , involved in the speech pathology organization, and worked at the Golden Spike after turning 21. She made lifelong friends that did girls weekends 1-2 times per year.

Kelley moved to Cape Girardeau in 1994 “for a year or so.” She worked as a speech-language pathologist at Saint Francis Medical Center her entire career. She valued the relationships she built with both patients and co-workers.

In her time in Cape she went on several mission trips (Paraguay, Mexico, Russia) and she led or co-led small groups for many years and was involved in the church creative and drama teams. There she grew relationships who encouraged and supported her walk with Jesus.

In 2005 she married her best friend John and was able to do more travelling (Jamaica, Australia, New Zealand, Morocco, Spain, Utah, Costa Rica, & Mexico). Kelley enjoyed golf trips with friends and took the opportunity to find unique tourist attractions like the Coon Dog Cemetery & the Giant Tree House. She lived in a neighborhood with the best and most caring neighbors.

Kelley LOVED volunteering at Southeast Missouri Pets which also provided the opportunity to make more friends who shared her love for animals. She fell in love every single time she volunteered and sometimes even fostered her new loves at home, she just wanted to make a difference in their lives.

Kelley loved her family on both sides – her parents, her brother, plus nieces and nephews and at the end of the day was always content to be at home with her husband and her dogs.

Visitation will be at 1 p.m. with a Celebration of life at 3 p.m. April 13 at LaCroix Church, 3102 Lexington Ave., Cape Girardeau, Mo., and April 27 at United Presbyterian Church in Monroe, with visitation at 1 p.m. with a Celebration of life at 3 p.m. In lieu of flowers or plants please consider adopting a yucky old cat or an amazing dog in Kelley’s honor or make a donation to Southeast Missouri Pets.