Mary Bowen

Mary Elease Bowen, age 97, was called to her eternal home on Saturday, March 29, 2025 while at Dugan Memorial Nursing Home in West Point, MS. Elease was born on November 5, 1927 in Town Creek, Alabama to the late Joseph Walker Flemming Bagwell and the late Roxie Lee Taylor Bagwell. She married Fred Bown on May 16, 1946 in West Point, MS and they shared six children. Elease spent most of her life raising five children as a single mom in Aberdeen, MS after the unexpected death of her husband and youngest child in 1954. She was employed with Sharps Garment Plant in Aberdeen, MS for 27 years. Elease was known as an accomplished seamstress through her employment and as a seamstress for the public. She was a member of Southside Baptist Church. Elease enjoyed gardening, maintaining vegetable gardens and flower gardens that were both enjoyed by family and friends through the years. She lived in Aberdeen, MS for a total of sixty-two years before relocating to West Point, MS for assisted care.

Elease was preceded in death by her husband, Fred Bowen, and both parents, Walker and Roxie Bagwell. In addition, she was preceded in death by two daughters, LaVaughn Long of Florence, MS and Helen Morganstern of Little Rock, AR, three sons, Jimmy Bowen, Jerry Bowen, and Joseph Bowen all of Aberdeen, MS, one granddaughter, Summer Bowen of Aberdeen, MS, one son-in-law, Larry Morganstern of Little Rock, AR, two sisters, Modene Woffard and Myrtle Plunkett, and one brother, Gary Bagwell all of Aberdeen, MS.

Survivors include one daughter, Carolyn Bowen Gwathney (Gene) of Cedar Bluff, MS, one sister, Sarah Gilmore of Lavon, Texas, one son-in-law, Karl Long of Florence, MS, eight grandchildren, John Gwathney (Sylvia) of Columbus, MS, Anthony Gwathney (Rachelle) of West Point, MS, Sheila Gwathney Brand (Heath) of West Point, MS, April Long Abel (Myrum) of Florence, MS, Ashley Long Payne (Corey) of Richland, MS, Kehli Bowen of Amory, MS, Erin Bowen Walker (Chopper) of Aberdeen, MS, and Randi Bowen of Aberdeen, MS, thirteen great grandchildren, three great-great grandchildren, along with several nieces and nephews.

Service arrangements are scheduled for Saturday, April 12, 2025 with visitation at 10 am and a celebration of life service at 11 am in the Chapel at Tisdale-Lann Memorial Funeral Home in Aberdeen, MS with Robert Earl Folkes and Rodger Collins officiating. Private burial will follow in Oakland Memorial Cemetery in Aberdeen, MS.

Honorary pallbearers include Matthew Gwathney, Johnathan Gwathney, Jordan Gwathney, Joseph Gwathney, Parker Brand, Noah Brand, Patrick Payne and the staff of Dugan Memorial Nursing Home.

In leu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to Children’s Advocacy Centers of Mississippi, Post Office Box 5348, Jackson, MS 39296.