Betty J. Gowens, 83, of Dover, died Feb. 1, 2011, at Aultman Hospital, Canton.

Born Oct. 5, 1927, in Columbus, Betty was a daughter of the late James W. and Chloe Inez Roberts. She was a homemaker and formerly worked at Burden Funeral Home, Jackson, Mich. She was a member of Christian Lighthouse Church, New Philadelphia.

Betty is survived by her husband, Rev. Robert B. Gowens Sr., whom she married August 27, 1944; children, Robert (Donna) Gowens Jr. of Atlanta, Ga., Brenda Gowens of North Canton, Marsha (Marty) Skelton of Dover, and Timothy Gowens of Atlanta, Ga.; 12 grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; brother, Donald (Donna) Roberts of Florida; and sisters, Maxine Norris of Zanesville, Rosealea (Larry) Glicker of Pataskala, Barbara (Clifford) Paynter of Columbus, and Dorothy Alexander of Zanesville.

She was preceded in death by a brother and two sisters.

Services were held Feb. 4, at Christian Lighthouse Church, New Philadelphia, with Rev. Kermit Hall officiating. Burial was in Union Hill Cemetery, Sugarcreek.

For those unable to attend, visit http://www.smithfuneral.com to share a memory and sign her guest register.