Sue Kathryn "Kathy" Chowning

Sue Kathryn "Kathy" Chowning was born January 4, 1958. On November 20, 2020, after a brief battle with an illness, at the age of 62, she passed away in the hospital with her husband, Steve, by her side, holding her hand.
How does one wrap up and give a summation of their mothers life? How am I supposed to capture and express an entire lifetime of this woman, who gave us life, when the only thing that is on my mind is that she is no longer here on this earth with us? The answer is, I can't. But, I can try. I can tell you that she loved going out dancing, playing pool, making jewelry, doing jigsaw puzzles, reading the Lord of The Rings trilogy, and later watching the movies in marathon style viewing, and bar-b-ques and drinks with a ton of family and friends surrounding her. I could tell you that she was always the life of the party, she loved to sing, she was brutally honest and outspoken, that she didn't have any issues telling you when you were in the wrong and she wouldn't hesitate to knock you out if you needed it (She had a hell of a right hook)! All of that would be true, but there was so much more to her and I'd never be able to do her time on this earth justice if that is all I told you.
Kathy loved unconditionally, with her entire heart. There were no gray areas or exceptions. If she loved you, she just simply loved you. People were drawn to her and she was affectionately referred to as "Mama Kathy" by the myriads of people she claimed as her "adopted" children. I used to think that I'd like to switch places with some of these surrogate siblings for a day because she wasn't as hard on them as she tended to be with us. This week I learned that was not the case. Blood or not, they were treated just the same as if it were one of us! Her mama tendencies did not discriminate! We have also been told and reminded numerous times these last few days just how many times she has told people, that we three kids (and later her grandkids) were her biggest pride and joy and her greatest accomplishments.
Kathy is survived by her Mother Andrea McClelen; her husband Steve Chowning who says "she was the love of my life and my best friend"; her three children ReGina Hoag (Edward), Andrea Rowland (Josh) and Cole Disman; Seven grandchildren, Kayla Hasty (Dalton Highnote), Jordan Hasty, Ayana Leizear, Rikkie Ruschenberg (Amber), Travis Ruschenberg, Nolan Ruschenberg and Drake Disman; Six great grandchildren, Faith Ramirez, Zander and Zaiden Ruschenberg, Drake Disman, Lexie and Azaylea Leizear and Jack Reynolds; Brother in laws Dennis Chowning (Rosie), Bobby Chowning (Nan); A sister Betty Elder (Jack); nieces and nephews, Samantha Cimino (Steve), Ginny Martin (Steve), Jackie Lynn (Aimee), Jeff Chowning, Dane Chowning (and family), Michael Franke (Carla Allen), Kenny Elder, Jeffrey Elder and Deborah Elder Byler; and several great nieces and nephews.
Kathy is also survived by her three special lifelong best friends, who were not only her best friends but her "sisters", Leslie Lancaster, Delores Riojas and Sara Jane Peiser; a special "brother" and sister in law Rodney and Marce Bolen; two very special "daughters" Shelly McAda Bailey and Gina Eickenhorst Thorp; Special friends Jim and Judy Lacy and Brad Ashton; along with countless others that she considered her "children."
Kathy was preceded in death by her grandmother Eloise Gilbert, grandfather Ernest Birkett, grandparents Lorenzo Dow Aplin and Ruby Aplin, her father Kenneth McClelen, uncles J. F. Aplin and L. D. Aplin, sister Della Lynn, brother in law Gene "Shorty" Lynn, special friend Barbara McAda and special "sons" Luke Lindsey and Bubba Swafford.
Due to Covid, there will be no formal funeral services. The family will hold a celebration of life memorial at a later date, to be determined, for family and close family friends. The family extends our deepest gratitude for the endless love and support you have all shown. We will never be able to repay your kindness.
Rest easy, Mama. Until we see you again, you will forever be in our hearts and on our minds. We love you to the moon and back!

"There are a thousand moments we had taken for granted, simply because we foolishly assumed there would be a thousand more" - Morgan Matson