Christine S. McGowan

“Life is not measured by how long you live. Life is measured by how you live... that is all.” Christine Stephens McGowan was born on August 26,1932 to Veno and Lola Mae (Wilson) Stephens in Jabez, Kentucky and went to be with her Lord and Savior on February 3, 2026. She was preceded in death by her husband Grover Leonidus McGowan, her two sisters Irene S. McGowan and Lavern S. Polston, and her parents.

Being raised on a farm with 2 sisters was hard at times, but they had love and each other to get them through the tough challenges. Christine worked at Eli Lilly in the lab as well as a school teacher in Kentucky and Indianapolis Public Schools. In 1988, she began work as a dental assistant for her son and continued working there until 2020. What mattered most to Christine, however, was her family, her love for Christ, and her church. Christine served in numerous roles at the First General Baptist Church in Indianapolis where she attended for over 65 years. She served as Sunday School superintendent, president of the Elizabeth Women’s Missionary Society, director of Vacation Bible School, Church clerk, and many more. She served on numerous national boards for the General Baptist Denomination and worked hours raising funds to support missions. Her love of missions also led her to Honduras on a medical mission trip sharing God’s love. She also served in Jamaica at Faith Home Orphanage.

She relished the time she spent with her kids, grandkids, and great grandkids. She was always available to play a game of Rook, Skip-Bo or dominoes, have a meal together, attend dance recitals, plays and ball games. Anytime you visited her home, you were expected to find a few pieces in the ongoing jigsaw puzzle in the sunroom. Mama continued Papa's “secret money” handshake that was a favorite among them all. Christine sat with the sick, counseled youth and was a role model who led a giving Christian life that was full of love, family, and friends. Her faith in God sustained her during her 93 years here on earth and throughout over 70 years of marriage. She is survived by her children, Gregory McGowan (Bev) and Vickie Spoerle (Kurt); her grandchildren, Lindsey Catellier (Jason), Valerie Horn (Greg), Melanie Lewis-Walls (Nick), Samuel Spoerle (Natalie), Stephen McGowan (Shannon), Philip Spoerle (Caroline) and Ella Minatel (Michael). Great grandchildren include: Logan, Allison, Jacob, Clayton, Camryn, Garrett, Delaney, Leonidas, Claire, Lucas, Kaleigh, James, Connor, and Bennett. Christine will forever be in our hearts, until we all meet again.

Funeral arrangements are provided by Hampton Gentry Funeral of Plainfield, IN. The calling will be on Saturday, February 7, 2026 from 11:00am-1:00pm at the First General Baptist Church, 3950 W. Mooresville Rd., Indianapolis, Indiana. The funeral will be immediately following visitation at 1:00pm. Entombment at Maple Hill Cemetery, Plainfield, Indiana will be held at a later date for a private family service. If desired, in lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to The Gideons International (https://www.gideons.org/donate) or the Military Spring Cemetery, 13153 HWY 196, Nancy, Kentucky 42544 c/o Chloie Brown.