Serena Victoria Faith (Holbrook) Gower

Serena Victoria Faith Gower, 68, of Gatewood, MO passed away on March 05, 2025, at Saint Bernards in Jonesboro, Arkansas.
Serena was born on April 16, 1956, to Harry and Audrey (Wilson) Holbrook in St. Louis, Missouri.  She married Rickey Gower on May 20, 1985, in Poplar Bluff, MO and was proud to be approaching her 40th wedding anniversary.
Serena was a skilled and conscientious nurse for over 50 years. She started her career at Doctor's Hospital of Poplar Bluff. Twenty years ago, she found her calling in home health and eventually hung up her stethoscope there as Director of Amedisys Home Health Care. At her retirement in May of 2023, she stated "I'm a caregiver at heart and will always be unofficially caring for people. It's what I'm called to do."
She enjoyed gardening, hunting, fishing, hiking, cooking and baking, and spending time with her children and grandchildren. She was skilled at woodworking and crafts. She enjoyed her Bible study group where she made many cherished friends. She was a member of New Home General Baptist church in Poplar Bluff for 33 years, and later Oak Grove Church of God in Doniphan, Missouri for three years. She was revered as a Sunday School teacher, and Children's Church Director for many, many years. She touched the lives of most of the children she taught during her time in these roles. She spent her whole life embracing Heaven and Jesus Christ as her Savior and would want us all to do the same.
Serena is survived by her husband and best friend, Rickey; children, Jonathan Gower, Sarah Bailey, Heather Allen (Jimmy Meyers), Rickey Jr. (Amanda) Gower, and Mario Mitchell and Carmelita Sedano; grandchildren, Savannah, Alyssa, Kayla, Lucas, Issa, Ian, Hank, Aubri, Shae, Caleb, and Victoria; sister-in-law, Barbara Holbrook; brother-in-law, George Farmer; many children she counted and loved as her own, and a host of nieces, nephews and friends.
Serena was preceded in death by her parents; siblings, Phyllis Massmann, Mary Farmer, and Herschel (Butch) Holbrook; and nephew, Brian Holbrook.
A celebration of her life will be announced at a later date.
Cotrell Willow Ridge Funeral & Cremation Services is honored to serve the friends and family of Serena Victoria Faith Gower. Online condolences can be made at www.cwrfcs.com