05/18/2026
Margaret Cauzell (Parker) Fowler, born June 24, 1939, entered her heavenly home on May 14, 2026 at 1:43 AM at the age of 86. As she exited this earth to meet Jesus, she was comforted by many loved ones that came to visit and called to show their love to her. Margaret was originally from Success, AR, but spent most of her life living in Sikeston, MO and Poplar Bluff, MO. In August 2020 she moved to Cape Girardeau, MO to live with her daughter/son-in-law, Mary and Jeff Stoner.
She was a loyal member of the Grand Avenue Baptist Church in Poplar Bluff, MO, where she married Ernest (Ernie) Wayland Fowler on December 27, 1964, who she referred to as “the love of her life”. The two of them had five children (four daughters and one son): Althea Darlene Downs (who passed away on January 11, 2024) of Poplar Bluff, MO; Shelia Ildean Grady (spouse Sam, who tragically passed away on May 06, 2026 as Shelia was preparing to grieve the loss of her mother) of Sikeston, MO; Kevin Wayland Fowler (who passed away at 4 months and 7 days old, February 25, 1966 to July 2, 1966); Beverly Rae Palmer (spouse Les) of Rogersville, MO; and Mary Marie Stoner (spouse Jeff) of Cape Girardeau and Nixa, MO; as well as eighteen grandchildren and twenty two great grandchildren.
Margaret was an amazing cook. She and Ernie owned and/or managed many restaurants over the years: Kings Kitchen (Sikeston, MO), Burger Chef (Sikeston, MO), Judy’s (Sikeston, MO), Midtowner Motel Restaurant (Sikeston, MO), and Three Brothers Restaurant (Dexter and Bloomfield, MO). She was also a loving caregiver for her father-in-law and mother-in-law, Clarence and Beulah Fowler, as well as many others through her employment with Butler County Home Health prior to her retirement.
Her most recent hobbies included hand embroidery, crocheting, sewing, and quilting. Margaret loved to create unforgettable gifts for others. Her prized possession was a biblical quilt where she hand-embroidered pictures from biblical stories. Her talents will forever be loved and cherished by many.
She is survived by three of her children (Shelia, Beverly, and Mary); her niece, Vida McDonald (Biggers, AR) who is better known as her “sister” and “second momma” to her children; her “boy” Terry Lavelle Street (Hattiesburg, MS) who is Vida’s son; as well as her grandchildren, great grandchildren, and many other in-laws, nieces, nephews and extended family members.
She was preceded in death by her husband (Ernie), her son (Kevin), and her oldest daughter (Althea), her son-in-law Sam Grady, her parents (Joseph Ruben Parker and Mary Magdalene (Gould) Parker (Success, AR), her in-laws (Clarence Emery Fowler and Beulah Marie (Ingram) Fowler (Poplar Bluff, MO), and all of her siblings (Andy Andrew Parker (Corning, AR), Lillian Ruby Haley (Poplar Bluff, MO), Ethel Eileen Hart (Biggers, AR), Robert Junior Parker (Success, AR), Treasel Lavern Sisk (Poplar Bluff, MO), Joseph Christopher “J C” Parker (Corning, AR), Barbara “Charlene” Williams (Kingsland, GA), C**a Jean Craft (Batesville, MS), and a set of twins that died shortly after birth.
Margaret touched the lives and hearts of so many. She will be remembered for her amazing chicken & dumplings, famous catfish and hushpuppies, her funny stories, quirky sayings, her loving and forgiving spirit, but most importantly for her immense love for Jesus Christ. May she rest in peace with her Savior forever and ever, Amen!
Visitation will be held at 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, May 30, 2026 at Fitch-Hillis Funeral Home at 366 College Street, Poplar Bluff, Missouri. Funeral service will follow at 1:30 p.m. at Fitch-Hillis Funeral Chapel. Interment will follow funeral service at Memorial Gardens Cemetery. Fitch-Hillis Funeral Home is assisting with all arrangements.
Condolences may be made online at www.fitchhillisfh.com or on the Fitch-Hillis page.
