Cary Frances McGowen (née Shiflett), a devoted mother, lifelong educator, and cherished friend, passed away peacefully at her home in Pensacola, Florida, on June 3, 2026. She was 81 years old.

Born on July 24, 1944, in Rome, Georgia, Cary grew up in Birmingham, Alabama, with a love of learning that would shape both her life and career. She graduated from Woodlawn High School in Birmingham, and attended Jacksonville State University in Jacksonville, Alabama, where she developed the foundation for her lifelong passion for education and nurturing young minds. After graduating college in 1968, with $5 in her purse, she hopped a bus to Atlanta, Georgia, and never looked back. She enjoyed life as a young, beautiful single woman in the city, attending events like the Atlanta Pop Festival and making memories with friends and Harvey Wallbangers before meeting John McGowen, with whom she has shared 56 years of marriage. Together, they made their home in Conyers, Georgia.

Cary began her professional career as an English teacher at Walker High School in Atlanta, Georgia. After several years in the classroom, she devoted herself to raising her family as a full-time mother and homemaker, as well as an active member of Grace Covenant Presbyterian Church. She was an innovative, resourceful mother, organizing a local Camp Fire Boys & Girls scouting troop, welcoming all children who wanted to participate. She was often seen with a van full of children heading to the local library, a state park, a museum or a community festival.

Her commitment to education never waned, and once her children were older, she returned to the field as a teaching assistant at Hightower Trail Elementary School in Conyers. While employed there, she delivered Christmas boxes to underprivileged children in her classes every year. Later, she found great fulfillment teaching Business English and Business Math at Georgia Piedmont Technical College, where she mentored students for more than a decade.

Beyond her professional accomplishments, Cary was known for her warmth, kindness, laugh, and generous spirit. She was an avid reader who especially enjoyed mystery novels that fueled her curiosity and imagination. She enjoyed traveling with her husband, and together they visited many of America’s favorite destinations – New Orleans’ French Quarter, the Grand Canyon, Las Vegas, San Franciso, Nashville, the Great Smokey Mountains, historic Savannah and Charleston, numerous state and national parks, and beaches all along the country’s coastlines. Her greatest joy was spending time with her family, particularly her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, creating treasured memories.

Cary was preceded in death by her parents, James Albert Shiflett and Edith Shiflett (née Swinney); her maternal grandparents, Luther and Jewell Swinney; paternal grandparents, William and Ida Mae Shiflett, father-in-law John William McGowen, brother-in-law James Timothy McGowen and sister-in-law Michelle “Mickey” Vessells).

She is survived by her beloved husband, John “Hickory” McGowen, of Pensacola, Florida; her daughters, Kelli Cain (Micah) of Pensacola, Florida, and Stacey McGowen-Hudson of Augusta, Georgia; and her son, John David "J.D." McGowen of Oxford, Georgia.

Cary leaves behind her grandchildren, Jackson, Jacob, and Jason, with their mother, Jessica Young, all of Covington, Georgia; and Emerson Hudson of Augusta, Georgia; along with her great-grandchildren, Scarlett, Phillip and Callie, with their mother, Hunter Johns, all of Winder, Georgia. She also leaves behind her brother, Jim Shiflett, and sisters Cathy Shiftlett and Cindy Tapscott (Mike), all of Brandon, Mississippi. In addition, she leaves behind her cherished sisters-in-law, Angela Guida (Jim), of Richmond, Virginia; Lenore Norris (Michael) of Wilmington, North Carolina; and Patsy McGowen of Kissimmee, Florida; as well as nieces, nephews, and extended family members and friends whose lives she enriched.

For seven years, Cary battled multiple myeloma with grace, determination, and unwavering grit. Her resilience throughout her illness reflected the strength of character that defined her life.

The family extends heartfelt gratitude to the providers and staff of Baptist Medical Group, especially Nurse Practitioner Sherri Ellis, whose compassionate care and advocacy were unmatched. They also wish to thank Dr. Jamal Joudeh and the staff of Woodlands Medical Specialists in Pensacola, as well as Dr. Luciano Costa and the dedicated physicians, nurses, researchers, and staff of the University of Alabama at Birmingham clinics, hospitals, and research units for their exceptional care and support throughout Cary's journey. In addition, they thank Dr. Kathleen Lambert and the staff of the Northside Hospital Cancer Institute, and Bernadette Alexis-Destin from the late Dr. William Futch’s Conyers Family Medicine practice.

A celebration of life will be held at a later date to allow family and friends time to gather from out of town. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society at cancer.org/donate/hope in Cary McGowen's memory.