Brenda Trexler McGowan

Brenda is survived by her son and daughter-in-law Chad and Carol Anne McGowan of Gastonia, NC and their children Madison, Joseph and Emily; step-son Shawn McGowan of Bristol, TN; brother Bernard “Buddy” Trexler of Martin, Georgia; sister Minerva Parnell of Charlotte, NC; brother Dwayne “Butch” Trexler of Charlotte, NC; her beloved dog Honeybear as well as several nephews and nieces, and her church families in both Charlotte and Charleston.

She is preceded in death by her husband Dennis McGowan, step-son Troy McGowan, parents Bernard and Virginia Trexler of Charlotte, NC and brother Jay Trexler of Houston, TX.

Brenda was born on March 3rd, 1948 in Charlotte, NC to Bernard Rudolph Trexler and Virginia Gibson Trexler. She graduated from South Mecklenburg High School in 1966, CPCC in 1970 and UNC-Charlotte in 1984 with a BS in Nursing and a BA in Psychology.

In 1970 she accepted a position as an RN at Presbyterian Hospital, where she worked for more than seven years before becoming a Certified Diabetic Educator - a passion of hers as she had Diabetes for almost 60 years with no complications and enjoyed teaching others how to do the same.

Brenda was a wonderful wife to her soulmate, Dennis and a loving mother. She and Dennis married December 4th, 1976 and they had one child together, as well as two sons from Dennis’ previous marriage.

Brenda was very active in her church, assisting Dennis with his ministry as well as teaching Sunday School and mentoring classes for many decades. She loved the Lord greatly. She enjoyed the beach, board games with friends and family, and letting Dennis talk her into things she would never agree to on her own – like the time he talked her into being hoisted to the top of the mast of his new sailboat in a bosun’s chair despite her severe acrophobia; coincidentally this was right before she listed it for sale in the paper on his next business trip. Her family and friends will always remember her as a loving person who always enjoyed a good laugh.

Brenda will be cremated at McEwen Funeral Services and there will be no service as she would prefer to be remembered for the life she lived and the lives she touched while living. The ashes of her and her husband will be scattered at sea in a private ceremony.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Joslin Diabetes Research Center ((www.joslin.org) or the campaign to re-elect Donald J. Trump (www.donaldjtrump.com).