lula shaw mcgowan
1890-1961
Life Story
Lula Shaw “Rachel / Bettie Rachel” McGowan (1890–1961)
Faithful Christian • Farm Laborer • Longtime Member of Pilgrim Grove Presbyterian Church
Early Life
Lula Shaw McGowan was born on December 5, 1890, in Paulding, Jasper County, Mississippi.
Her obituary does not list her parents, and no early census record has yet been identified that places her as a child in a parental household. Her early upbringing remains unclear, but she was raised in the Black farming communities of Jasper County.
As a girl, she joined the Methodist Church, beginning a lifelong commitment to faith.
She completed the 4th grade of elementary school, a typical level of education for rural African American girls born at the turn of the century.
Marriage and Name Variations Across Records
Lula appears in early records under multiple names—something very common in rural communities where middle names, nicknames, and household names were used interchangeably.
1910 – Recorded as “Rachel McGowan”
- Living in Jasper County
- Married to Percy McGowan
- Working as a farm laborer on the home farm
This record establishes that her marriage to Percy occurred well before 1929, contrary to what her obituary’s wording might suggest.
1920 – Recorded as “Bettie Rachel McGowan”
In Jasper County with three children:
- Hopson James McGowan
- Emma L. McGowan
- Nebraska McGowan
These names match those later listed in her obituary, confirming that Rachel, Bettie Rachel, and Lula were the same woman.
1930s – Name standardizes as “Lula”
After the family moved to Newton County around 1929, she consistently appears as Lula McGowan, the name used by her church community and in her obituary.
Move to Newton County and Church Life
After relocating to Newton County in 1929, Lula joined the Pilgrim Grove Presbyterian Church.
Her obituary described her as:
“living a true Christian life… a faithful member… greatly missed among the circle.”
She became deeply connected to the St. John and Pilgrim Grove communities.
Marriage and Children
Lula was married to Percy McGowan (1885–1973) for many decades.
To their union, eight children were born:
- Emma McGowan Henton (1913-?)– Gulfport, MS
- Otha Mae Walker (1923-1988)– Newton, MS
- Nebraska McGowan (1921-1987)– Newton, MS
- Joseph McGowan (1926-?)– Jacksonville, FL
- William C. McGowan (1924-?)– Jacksonville, FL
- Charles Andrew McGowan (1928-1995)– Detroit, MI
- James McGowan (1912-?) – Greenville, MS
- Svander McGowan (1927 – ?)
Her obituary also records:
- 21 grandchildren
- 12 great-grandchildren
- Numerous nieces, nephews, and extended relatives
Occupation
Before marriage and during early adulthood, Lula worked as a farm laborer on the family farm.
Her life reflects the labor patterns of Black women in rural Mississippi—balancing agricultural work, homemaking, childrearing, and church involvement.
Death and Burial
Lula McGowan passed away suddenly on March 18, 1961, at her home in the St. John community following only a few hours of illness from a heart attack.
Funeral services were held at St. John Baptist Church, with several ministers assisting. She was laid to rest in the Evans Cemetery, surrounded by many members of her family and community.
Name Variation Note
The presence of three names—Rachel, Bettie Rachel, and Lula—has been confirmed across multiple records. These variations likely reflect:
- Use of a middle name or family nickname
- Census takers recording the name provided by a household member
- A shift to a preferred or formal name later in life
All available evidence demonstrates that these names refer to one woman, Lula Shaw McGowan.
Resting Place
Photos/Albums
Sources
- 1910 Federal Census
- 1920 Federal Census
- 1930 Federal Census
- 1940 Federal Census
- 1950 Federal Census
- U.S., Find a Grave® Index, 1600s-Current
- The Newton Record, Lula McGowan Obituary, Wed, Mar 22, 1961 ·Page 11
- U.S., Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936-2007
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