Mavis Anadel Levering-Wagner

Mavis Anadel McDonald Levering-Wagner, 96, a resident of Gulf Shores, Alabama, passed away at home peacefully surrounded by her family and dedicated caregivers on Friday, March 21, 2025.

Our mother was born at home on their farm in Roseville, Illinois to Gerald and Grace Murlea McDonald. She was blessed to have a brother Rex and a loving sister Myrna. Life wasn’t easy as they lost their mother early in life and were raised by Nanny and Papa (their grandparents). Being raised on a farm and learning early in life that hard work was good for you, she thrived as a determined woman striving to make a difference in a man's world. This would carry throughout mom’s life as she devoted herself to her 5 children and balanced working in the restaurant business for 14 years, being a secretary at Caterpillar in Morton, Ill, working for an insurance company in Naperville, Ill and also in a Hallmark business office. Our mother was a woman of many hats. She loved to entertain, enjoyed ballroom dancing, loved a good game of tennis, loved a spirited game of Pitch or Bridge, and was thrilled to be the First Mate on her yacht named “Babe”. If that wasn’t enough she liked a good tease, or a mischievous prank and of course a hilarious joke. What can I say about her organizing skills? Give her an event to plan and she was on it. Of course life always had its detours and mom taught us all to overcome our mistakes, to persevere, have faith God is with you, and to show grace to everyone.

Our mother’s crowning joy was Thanksgiving/Christmas 4 day celebrations. She would plan days in advance to make everything perfect for us all to come home and be together as a family. The “sharing time” (sharing your highlights of the year), “show and tell” and the grandchildren’s impromptu plays delighted her. Believe it or not she prepared a “Chore List” with everyone’s name on it with their specific task. That got crazy and made it a party for 4 days. Even on her final days her wish was for us all to get along and be together.

Our mother was always volunteering at her local church in whatever town she lived. So in 2003 she relocated to Gulf Shores, Alabama, where she became a member of Gulf Shores Methodist Church. There, she assisted with answering phones, was a faithful member of the Sea-Kers Sunday School class, served with UMW, arranged greeters at all 3 services and recruited office volunteers, along with working at the Information Desk every Sunday morning. We remember her saying “I believe I have been on every committee for the church, and love it”. Our mother had found her calling and wanted to serve her Lord and church in any way she could. Outside of church she enjoyed baking, playing bridge in her home with several friends, walking daily was a passion, and enjoying people that made her smile. Mom always treated others and loved each person for who they were. God continued to hone her into a faithful servant that shared her faith with others. Her quiet spirit and tender heart became her badge of strength with her family, friends and community. The one thing each of us knows is we will miss our mother, but she will live in our hearts forever and through each of her descendants. Praise the Lord!

Preceding her in death were her parents, Gerald and Grace McDonald and her brother, Rexford McDonald.

She is survived by her five children, daughters, Renee Blews (Mark) Dawsonville, GA, Debra Lamb (Grady) Mackinaw, Ill; sons, Gerald Cowley (Cindy Evans) Tupelo, MS, Kim Cowley (Lorna) Foley, AL and Nicholas Cowley, Peoria, IL; sister Myrna Leddy; eleven grandchildren, David Gundy, Derek Gundy, Neil Cowley, Joel Cowley, Craig Cowley, Brandi Sheffield, Jade Cummins, Clint Cowley, Travis Cowley, Brooke Blews Budd, and Bradley Blews. Along with twenty-three great-grandchildren, that include 13 boys and 10 girls; Also nieces, Michelle Simoncini and Sally Sago; nephews, Brent Leddy, and Scott McDonald.

Funeral Services will be held on May 3, 2025 at Wolfe-Bayview Funeral Home, 2551 S. McKenzie St, in Foley, Al. Visitation at 10 am followed by service at 11 am. Mavis's final resting place will be in Naperville Cemetery in Naperville, Illinois at a later date.

In lieu of flowers and to honor Mom’s memory donations can be made to Gulf Shores Methodist Church where it can change the world. Cremation has been incurred.