Florence - Virginia Bracey McGowan, wife of the late John L. McGowan, died June 3, 2015 after a long illness. Mrs. McGowan was born in Petersburg, Virginia, the daughter of Virginius Cameron and Maie Jones Bracey. The Bracey family moved to Columbia, South Carolina when Virginia was three years old, and she lived there until her marriage to Mr. McGowan during World War II.

A graduate of the University of South Carolina with a B.S. in Chemistry, Mrs. McGowan was a member of Kappa Delta sorority.

The couple moved to Florence in 1947, where Mr. McGowan began his law practice and they joined Central United Methodist Church. Mrs. McGowan remained a member until her death, and enjoyed the Christian Family Sunday School Class.

Mrs. McGowan was a member of the Junior League of Florence, The Terpsichorean Club, The Florentine Society, and was an avid bridge player.

Mrs. McGowan is survived by three children: Cameron McGowan Currie and John Livingston McGowan, Jr. of Columbia, and Jeanne Hill McGowan of Florence; and three grandchildren, John Rutledge Currie and William McGowan Withers Currie of Columbia and Katherine Cameron Currie of Alexandria, Virginia.

The family would like to thank the staff of The Presbyterian Home and caregivers Ola Williams-Alexander, Sarah Ellis, Inez Jacobs and Georgette Cash for their devoted assistance to Mrs. McGowan and her family.

The family will receive friends at the home (510 Oleander Drive, Florence) from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, June 4. A graveside service will be held for friends and family at Byrd Cemetery in Timmonsville on Friday, June 5 at 11:00 a.m. Layton Anderson Funeral Home is handling the arrangements.

Memorials may be made to Central United Methodist Church, 225 West Cheves Street, Florence, SC 29501 or to The Presbyterian Home, 2350 West Lucas Street, Florence, SC 29501.