Mary Irene Johnson Vowell

Mary Irene Johnson Vowell, loving wife, mother and grandmother, passed away on Wednesday, October 15, 2014 at the age of 85. Mrs. Vowell was a long time resident of El Paso, graduating from El Paso High School and Texas Western College (UTEP). After College, Mrs. Vowell taught Elementary School for several years where she took pride in her job and relished the accomplishments of her students. Mrs. Vowell met and married the love of her life, Jack Caruthers Vowell, Jr. in 1957 and began a new journey in business and public service. Mrs. Vowell served on the Board of Directors for Vowell Construction Company until the company was sold in 1974. Mrs. Vowell spent much of her time on the road accompanying her daughter Janice as she showed her horses in the American Saddlebred Association on the Southwest Circuit across the country. Mrs. Vowell split her time between El Paso and Austin after Mr. Vowell was elected to the Texas State House of Representatives in 1980. Mrs. Vowell was very active in her church, St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, serving on various committees and volunteering as much as she was able, staying active in the church up until her passing. Mrs. Vowell was a proud member of the Theta Psi Chapter of Tri-Delta at UTEP and she also was involved with the El Paso Alumnae Panhellenic Association. Mrs. Vowell served in the Women’s Club of El Paso, the Women’s Auxiliary of UTEP, Young Matrons Axillary of the Women’s Club of El Paso, and she participated in the Legislative Wives Club in Austin. She was a member and leader of Bible Study Fellowship. Mrs. Vowell enjoyed playing Bridge with her Bridge Group and especially enjoyed the time she spent with her grandsons, Jayson and Jackson, as she watched them grow up to be fine young men. Mrs. Vowell was preceded in death by her parents, Sherman Johnson and Estel Johnson, brother, Delmer Johnson and husband, Jack Caruthers Vowell, Jr. She is survived by her daughter Janice Vowell Alexander and her husband, Jay, grandsons, Jayson Vowell-Kendrick Alexander and Jackson D. Caruthers Alexander and many nieces and nephews. A Funeral Service will be held Friday, October 24, 2014 at 1:30 P.M. at Sunset Funeral Home-West, 480 North Ressler Dr., with Fr. Daniel E. Cave officiating. A private family graveside service will be held. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, 7050 McNutt Road, Anthony, NM 88021. Services entrusted to Sunset Funeral Home-West. Please sign our online register book at www.sunsetfuneralhomes.com