Ms. JoAnn Kiser Gowens, age 84, of Rome, GA, passed away on Friday, July 17, 2026, at a local assisted living facility.
“Mama Jo”, as she was affectionately known by those who knew her, was born in Floyd County, GA, on July 4, 1942, daughter of the late Herman Lee Kiser and the late Anna Haney Kiser. She was also preceded in death by the love of her life, Sidney Elbert Lee Gowens, Sr., and by 4 siblings, Shirley Young, Betty Clayton, Lee Kiser, and Lorraine Kiser. Mama Jo was a hairdresser for over 50 years, often becoming a part of her client’s family and cutting multiple generations. Her home salon was always filled to the brim with people wanting to spend time with her. Mama Jo lit up a room, and her infectious personality had people hanging on every word. Not only did she stay busy with clients at her home, but she was also the hair stylist for Henderson & Sons Funeral Home for over 40 years. Mama Jo loved to laugh and wanted to make sure everyone around her was laughing as well. She loved spending every moment she could with her family, especially for their Monday night family dinners. If you visited Mama Jo she was going to make sure you had a full belly and a full heart before you left. She had the most incredible way of making you feel like you were the most important person in the world, no matter what she was going through. Mama Jo was always ecstatic to see those she loved, even if it had been only one day since she last saw you. She was of East Rome Baptist Church and is now rejoicing, reunited with her beloved husband, at the feet of Jesus for Eternity.
Survivors include her two children, Mitzi Gowens and Sid Gowens, Jr., (Missy), both of Rome; 4 grandchildren, Mathew Siniard (Lindsay), Leah Justice (Lee), Benjamin Rowell (Breanna), and Sydney Grace Gowens; 5 great-grandchildren, Kiley Hardigree, Barrett Siniard, Josslynn Rowell, Westyn Rowell, Koe Justice; a great-great-grandchild on the way, Charlee Kate Torrence; numerous nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be held at 12pm on Friday, July 24, 2026, in the Chapel at Henderson & Sons Funeral Home, South Chapel. Interment will take place at Georgia National Cemetery on Monday, July 27, 2026, at 1:30pm.
The family will receive friends from 10am until service time on Friday at Henderson & Sons Funeral Home, South Chapel.
Pallbearers are to assemble by 11:30pm on Friday at Henderson & Sons Funeral Home, South Chapel, and include: Sid Gowens, Jr., Mathew Siniard, Ben Rowell, Lee Justice, Bradley Cooper, and Kevin Stansell.
Henderson & Sons Funeral Home, South Chapel, is honored to serve the family of Ms. JoAnn Kiser Gowens.
