Shawndula " Shawn" Yvette (Rowan) Long - Douglas,61, was born in Rockport, Indiana on October 23, 1954 to the late Frances J. Rowan and Harry Rowan Jr. Shawn departed from her earthly body on May 21st, 2016 at Deaconess Gateway Hospital after battling several Strokes.
As a child, she attended Smithfield Baptist church and gave her life to Christ in 1966. Spending several childhood years in Chicago she made wonderful memories with her brothers and cousins. She later moved back to Rockport where she attended South Spencer High School, and ignited her passion to sew and become a seamstress, graduating with honors in 1973.
Later that year, Shawndula enrolled at Murray State University in Murray State Kentucky from 1973 to 1977, majoring in speech and hearing then later changing her major to Special Education. Shawn pledged Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Incorporated in the Spring of 1975 Eta Upsilon Chapter, serving on the Panhellenic Council, governing the Sororities and Fraternities in the 1976 school year. Unsure at first, about pledging a Sorority, she often stated that, was one of the best decisions she ever made.
Shawn was always stylish and dressed before her time and while in College, won best dressed hands down and influencing others, being noted for her way of dressing. She met her lifelong friends while at Murray State University and always noted those years as the best years of her life.
In the summer of 1979, Shawndula Rowan met, the Love of her life, John Long and was engaged one year later and married on Saturday August 2nd 1980 at 1 p.m. at New Hope Baptist Church, later having one child, Ta'Shawna J. Long.
She was a longtime member of New Hope Missionary Baptist Church under the leadership of the late Reverend WR Brown Sr., then later moved her membership to Memorial Baptist Church in 1999 under the leadership of Adrian M Brooks, rededicating her life to Christ on July 12, 2015.
By this time, Shawn acquired a Master's degree from Murray State University and a Post Master's from the University of Evansville. After completing her Undergraduate education, Shawn was promised a job by her Uncle and began teaching as a public school teacher for the Evansville Vanderburgh School Corporation (EVSC), specializing in special education later "taking a break" teaching, 7th grade English. Mrs. Long taught 22 years, from 1979-1997 at Evans Middle School, McGary Middle School, Perry Heights Middle School, Bosse High School, and Plaza Park Middle School. Other community involvements and contributions include, working tirelessly with Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc., for many years in Evansville, In becoming a Founder/Charter member for the Evansville Alumnae Chapter for Graduates, collectively overseeing various Sorority functions including the annual Ebony Fashion Fair, working several years as a tutor fot the Evansville Housing Authority (EHA), and inspiring young girls through the D.I.A.M.O.N.D program.
After retiring, she remarried Elvis O. Douglas on December 18th, 1999 and relocated to Noblesville, Indiana. She worked as a Site Director for the YMCA of Greater Indianapolis and as an Educator teaching inmates at the Pendleton Correctional Facility.
After moving back to Evansville in 2006, she stayed family-oriented and helped out the best way she could and always wanted to make sure everyone was happy and having a good time. Shawn LOVED God, being a mom, Family, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Incorporated, bowling, teaching, children, making cheese cakes to order, and peach cobbler. Shawn could light up a room and never met a stranger making sure to "God Bless" them before they left her presence.
Shawn was proceeded in death by her loving mother, Frances J. Rowan, father, Harry Rowan Jr., and brother, Tyreese Rowan.
Shawn's memories are left to be cherished by her Daughter, Ta'Shawna J. Long, Sibling, Hilmar "Rondell" (Skye) Rowan, a Sister/Niece, Kathina Rowan; Nieces, Monesa Birge, Tomarra Taylor, Tawana Black, Lisa Leavell, and Sherry Parrish; Nephews, Roger D. Rogers, and Tyrren Bonds; Great Nieces, Justice Taylor and Jasmynn Mullen; Great Nephews, Tyreese Reynolds, Isaac Rowan, Samuel Rowan, Jalen Taylor, Arthur Glover, Demetrius Glover and a host of cousins, family and friends.
Services are 11A.M, Friday, June 3, 2016 at Memorial Baptist Church (605 Canal Street) Evansville, Indiana.
Visitation is Thursday, June 2, 2016, from 6 P.M. - 8 P.M. at Memorial Baptist Church.
Osborne Funeral Home is handling all preparations.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Shawndula Yvette Douglas, please visit our flower store.
As a child, she attended Smithfield Baptist church and gave her life to Christ in 1966. Spending several childhood years in Chicago she made wonderful memories with her brothers and cousins. She later moved back to Rockport where she attended South Spencer High School, and ignited her passion to sew and become a seamstress, graduating with honors in 1973.
Later that year, Shawndula enrolled at Murray State University in Murray State Kentucky from 1973 to 1977, majoring in speech and hearing then later changing her major to Special Education. Shawn pledged Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Incorporated in the Spring of 1975 Eta Upsilon Chapter, serving on the Panhellenic Council, governing the Sororities and Fraternities in the 1976 school year. Unsure at first, about pledging a Sorority, she often stated that, was one of the best decisions she ever made.
Shawn was always stylish and dressed before her time and while in College, won best dressed hands down and influencing others, being noted for her way of dressing. She met her lifelong friends while at Murray State University and always noted those years as the best years of her life.
In the summer of 1979, Shawndula Rowan met, the Love of her life, John Long and was engaged one year later and married on Saturday August 2nd 1980 at 1 p.m. at New Hope Baptist Church, later having one child, Ta'Shawna J. Long.
She was a longtime member of New Hope Missionary Baptist Church under the leadership of the late Reverend WR Brown Sr., then later moved her membership to Memorial Baptist Church in 1999 under the leadership of Adrian M Brooks, rededicating her life to Christ on July 12, 2015.
By this time, Shawn acquired a Master's degree from Murray State University and a Post Master's from the University of Evansville. After completing her Undergraduate education, Shawn was promised a job by her Uncle and began teaching as a public school teacher for the Evansville Vanderburgh School Corporation (EVSC), specializing in special education later "taking a break" teaching, 7th grade English. Mrs. Long taught 22 years, from 1979-1997 at Evans Middle School, McGary Middle School, Perry Heights Middle School, Bosse High School, and Plaza Park Middle School. Other community involvements and contributions include, working tirelessly with Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc., for many years in Evansville, In becoming a Founder/Charter member for the Evansville Alumnae Chapter for Graduates, collectively overseeing various Sorority functions including the annual Ebony Fashion Fair, working several years as a tutor fot the Evansville Housing Authority (EHA), and inspiring young girls through the D.I.A.M.O.N.D program.
After retiring, she remarried Elvis O. Douglas on December 18th, 1999 and relocated to Noblesville, Indiana. She worked as a Site Director for the YMCA of Greater Indianapolis and as an Educator teaching inmates at the Pendleton Correctional Facility.
After moving back to Evansville in 2006, she stayed family-oriented and helped out the best way she could and always wanted to make sure everyone was happy and having a good time. Shawn LOVED God, being a mom, Family, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Incorporated, bowling, teaching, children, making cheese cakes to order, and peach cobbler. Shawn could light up a room and never met a stranger making sure to "God Bless" them before they left her presence.
Shawn was proceeded in death by her loving mother, Frances J. Rowan, father, Harry Rowan Jr., and brother, Tyreese Rowan.
Shawn's memories are left to be cherished by her Daughter, Ta'Shawna J. Long, Sibling, Hilmar "Rondell" (Skye) Rowan, a Sister/Niece, Kathina Rowan; Nieces, Monesa Birge, Tomarra Taylor, Tawana Black, Lisa Leavell, and Sherry Parrish; Nephews, Roger D. Rogers, and Tyrren Bonds; Great Nieces, Justice Taylor and Jasmynn Mullen; Great Nephews, Tyreese Reynolds, Isaac Rowan, Samuel Rowan, Jalen Taylor, Arthur Glover, Demetrius Glover and a host of cousins, family and friends.
Services are 11A.M, Friday, June 3, 2016 at Memorial Baptist Church (605 Canal Street) Evansville, Indiana.
Visitation is Thursday, June 2, 2016, from 6 P.M. - 8 P.M. at Memorial Baptist Church.
Osborne Funeral Home is handling all preparations.
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