Mrs. Carmelita Artis Mae Gower

Mrs. Carmelita Artis Mae Gower, 89, of Irving, TX; formerly of Peoria, Illinois, transitioned to her heavenly home at 9:27 pm on Wednesday, August 26, 2020 at Avalon Memory Care Assisted Living in Irving, TX. Mother Carmelita was born on January 13, 1931 in a small town called Lovejoy, Illinois to proud parents Clarence and Lula Mae (Ross) Crutcher. She was educated in the Lovejoy public school system earning a High School Diploma; yet held a Doctoral Degree in the school of life raising three sons with her husband James. Her home town name epitomized Carmelita, the person. She spread love and joy to her family, friends and all who knew her. Carmelita married James Gower, II, the love of her life, on December 8, 1948. They were married 65 years prior to his passing on November 5, 2013. Carmelita accepted Christ at an early age. She continued to demonstrate her faith as a faithful long-time member of Zion Baptist Church of Peoria, IL. Recognizing the disparities and discrimination faced by people of color, she and her late husband were pillars of the Peoria, IL community and active participants in the civil rights struggle; lending their financial support, time and talents to the local NAACP chapter. Carmelita retired from the Greater Peoria Mass Transit after many years of service. Carmelita leaves to cherish her most precious memories her loving children, Roland “Tony” A. (TaKisha) Gower, George W. (Sheila) Gower and James C. (Diana) Gower; a host of grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. She is also preceded in death by her parents and siblings; George Crutcher, Meache Crutcher, Elijah Crutcher, Robert Crutcher, Dorothy Murdock, Maxine Parker and Hortense Jackson. A private funeral service will be held at 10 am, Saturday, September 5, 2020 at Simons Mortuary Chapel with a visitation at 9 am. Rev. Hosea Winters, Pastor of Holy Spirit Christian Church of Burlington, IA, will bring words of comfort to the family. Carmelita will be laid to rest beside her beloved husband at Parkview Cemetery. Simons Mortuary has been entrusted with arrangements. Online condolences may be made at SimonsMortuary.com. The funeral service will be live streamed on Simons Mortuary's Website or Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/Simons-Mortuary-232095303487150 promptly at time of the service. Due to Covid-19 restrictions, social distancing and attendance limits will be observed. As the States begin re-opening in response to the Global Coronavirus Pandemic, some people are returning to their previous normal living standards. Unfortunately, we are now in our new normal as unreal and sometimes uncomfortable as the socially distancing and continuous use of protective masks may feel. *In an effort to mitigate the spread of COVID-19, we ask that everyone in attendance: wear a face mask and refrain from hugging, kissing and shaking hands (as hard as it is to see someone you care about and not touch them). Thanks in advance for your cooperation! *It is our responsibility as a Funeral Directors, to do everything we can to advise families in order to honor our beloved Families and to keep everyone as safe as possible. The chapel can socially distance and seat a limit of 50 or less people. All others will be able to flow through and view prior to beginning the Celebration of Life Ceremony.

Tributes

Mrs. Carmelita Artis Mae Gower

January 13, 1931 - August 26, 2020