Elizabeth Christine Gowins

Elizabeth Christine Ledbetter Gowins left this life for her heavenly home on Tuesday, August 2nd, 2022. She passed from this life while at Hardin County General Hospital in Rosiclare, IL. She was 73 years old.

Chris was born as the only child of Joe and Patsy Ledbetter on October 14, 1948 in Harrisburg, IL. She grew up in Cave-in-Rock, IL and attended the United Methodist Church in Cave-in-Rock; and this is where she met Jesus as a child and accepted Him as her Savior. This became the building blocks for the strong foundation of her faith. Chris graduated from Cave-in-Rock High School in 1966. She then went to beauty school and became a beautician for several years.

On March 16th, 1973, she married the love of her life, Lowell “Butch” Gowins, in Rosiclare, IL. Next to Jesus, the most important thing in her life and one of her greatest joys was her family. Her only daughter, Nancy, was not just her child but also her friend, and Taylor, her only grandson, was the light of her life. She was always filled with joy when she could watch him play baseball or perform with the band.

She loved with her whole heart, but she also enjoyed the simpler things in life like her Diet Dr. Pepper, Fudgsicles, and all things purple.

Chris’ heart was dedicated to service. She served alongside her husband as a minister’s wife at the First Apostolic Church and then beginning in 1982, she continued to serve there as the Pastor’s wife for 42 years. Jesus was the center of her life. She served not only in this role but as leader to the women’s group, a Sunday school teacher, and filled in as the church pianist.

Chris went back to school to serve again, but this time as a public school teacher. She graduated from Southern Illinois University at Carbondale with a Bachelor’s Degree in Speech & Language Pathology and a Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education. Chris worked for over 20 years as a teacher. She taught several different grades and spent 13 years in the gifted program challenging young bright minds, encouraging them to excel. Her students felt the depth of her love for them and for teaching.

Those left to mourn her passing are her husband of 49 years, Lowell “Butch” Gowins of Rosiclare, her daughter, Nancy (Mike) May of Princeton, IN, one grandson Taylor Joel Turpin, 3 bonus grandchildren: Keith May (Janet Salt), Shayne May (Ranae Lynch), Caitlyne (Michael) DePratter, 8 bonus great grandchildren all of Princeton, IN, her father, Joe Ledbetter of Cave-in-Rock, and many other dear family and friends, including her precious Speci K.

She was preceded in death by her mother Patsy Ledbetter, her grandparents John & Mary Pearson and Selby & Bertha Ledbetter and her fur-babies Mitzi, Macy, and Clify.


Full of faith, full of grace – Strong, devoted, and true

A woman of God, ready to stand – And do what God told her to do

A wife, a mother, a Gammie, and friend – Always there with a smile and a prayer

There was never a doubt in anyone’s mind – We all knew she truly cared

She always said she knew in her heart – Everything happens for a reason

For she knew that this life on Earth was only for a season

The loss of this woman is felt deep in the souls – Of those who loved her so much

And we’ll never know the number of lives – That she was able to touch

We’ll see her again on that very glad morning when all of God’s saints shall arise

So we’ll meet you in the morning at that blessed reunion – When we reunite in the skies


So until we meet again dear Chris,

Night night – Sleep tight - Don’t let the bedbugs bite. See you in the morning.


Services are scheduled for Sunday, August 7, 2022 at 1:00 p.m. at the First Apostolic Church in Rosiclare, Illinois. Burial will follow at Cave Hill Cemetery. Visitation will be held on Saturday, August 6, 2022 from 5:00 pm - 8:00 pm at the church.