FRANCES OWEN KOWALSKI

May 13, 1921 – March 12, 2013

ANDERSON, SC - Frances Owen Kowalski, age 91, of Anderson, SC, passed away on Tuesday, March 12, 2013at the Rainey Hospice House.

Born in Anderson County, SC, she was the daughter of the late J.R. Owen and the late Blanche Kay Owen.  Frances began school at four years of age at Welcome School and graduated from White Plains High School in 1936 with honors.  After graduating from Anderson Junior College in 1938, she continued her studies at Limestone College in Gaffney, SC and graduated in 1940 on the dean’s list.  Over thirty years were spent in public education beginning at Cross Roads School teaching several grades all in one room and serving as principal.  Later at White Plains School, she taught English, supervised the junior plays, dances, and the junior senior banquets.  At Wren High School in Piedmont, SC, she taught English, Literature, and became the senior sponsor in charge of graduation ceremonies.  After retiring from the public school system, she continued to teach English at Oakwood Christian School in Anderson, SC for four years.  In her latter years, Frances was a passionate reader and a lover of crossword puzzles. Frances grew up in the Beaverdam Church community in Williamston, SC, where she enjoyed singing in the quartet at church.  After her marriage, she joined Midway Presbyterian Church in Anderson, SC and was an active, faithful member serving as Sunday School teacher, circle leader, traveling member of the Adventurer’s Club, and assisted in organizing and tutoring through the Anderson Literary Association.

She is survived by her children, Wilton Lane Kowalski and his wife Judy of Anderson and Suzanne Ponder and her husband Mike of Spartanburg; four  grandchildren, Karen Kowalski Peerson and her husband Robert of Asheville, NC, Amy Ponder Whitt of Boiling Springs, SC, Mary Beth Ponder of Sarasota, FL and Rebecca Ponder Deviney and her husband Grant of Spindale, NC; and six great-grandchildren, Zachary Owen Whitt, Kathryn Nichole Whitt, Emma Grace Deviney, Aaron Grant Deviney, Christopher Nash Peerson, and Isabelle Grace Peerson.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Ralph Wilton Kowalski; one grandchild, Christopher Lane Kowalski; one brother, James Robert Owen, Jr.; and four sisters, Stella Johnston, Wilhelmena Mahaffey, Catherine Webb and Alton Rodgers.

The Funeral Service honoring the life of Frances will be held on Friday, March 15, 2013 at 11:00 AM at Midway Presbyterian Church with Reverend John McCallum, Dr. Mickey Rice and Reverend Mel Davis officiating.  Interment will follow at Midway Presbyterian Church Cemetery.

The family will be at their respective homes and will receive friends at The McDougald Funeral Home on Thursday, March 14, 2013 from 6:30 PM until 8:30 PM.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Midway Presbyterian Church, 3238 Midway Road, Anderson, SC 29621.

A message of condolence may be sent by visiting www.mcdougaldfuneralhome.com