Frances Bowie

Frances Bowie, of Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, passed away peacefully in her sleep on Thursday morning, July 30. Frances was born on August 8, 1939, in Elizabethton, Tennessee, to Orneta C. Brunner and Samuel I. Brunner. She was just shy of reaching her 81st birthday and was being well taken care of in Memory Care at Your Life of Palm Beach Gardens/Alton.

Though born in Elizabethton, Tennessee, Frances grew up in Birmingham, Alabama, and graduated from Shades Valley High School in Homewood, Alabama. She then attended The University of Alabama and earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing in 1961. Frances married C. Michael Bowie in 1961. Frances began her nursing career in the Labor and Delivery ward of Good Samaritan Hospital in West Palm Beach, while Mike began his engineering career at Pratt & Whitney. Frances and Mike raised two children, Chris and Russell, and taught them how to work hard and how to play! Frances went on to practice nursing for Dr. Jack Fealy, and Dr. John Burigo and the esteemed doctors of OBGYN Specialists of the Palm Beaches. Frances was delighted to have had the opportunity to teach Lamaze childbirth classes to many expectant parents in Palm Beach County, including her own children.

Frances was predeceased by her parents and her beloved sister, Shirley B. Moore.

She is survived by her two children, Julie “Chris”tine Murray (James), of Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, and Russell A. Bowie (Nanci), of Winter Haven, Florida. “Nana” was also extremely proud of her grandchildren: Shaun Samuel Murray, 24, of Pittsburgh, PA, Shannon Leigh Murray, 21, of Palm Beach Gardens, Allison Taylor Bowie, 19, of Lakeland, Lindsey Christine Murray, 18, of Palm Beach Gardens, Scott Allen Bowie, 17 , of Lakeland, and step-grandson, Shawn Werline, 10, of Winter Haven. All of Fran’s grandchildren visited their “Nana” often and they loved her dearly.

Frances also was a clarinetist and served on the board of The Symphonic Band of the Palm Beaches during the 1980’s and 90’s. The Symphonic Band was very important to her, and her daughter, son, grandson, and son-in-law also have played in this fine ensemble through the years as well. Frances was in the Shades Valley High School band, earned a seat in the Alabama All-State Band, and even started a community band in her hometown as a high school student! Music was always an important part of her life, and she passed this gift to her children and grandchildren.

In addition to working as a full-time Registered Nurse, Frances was a charter member of First Presbyterian Church in North Palm Beach, and told stories of serving spaghetti dinners in the original building while helping to grow the church congregation. She later served for more than a decade as a sound engineer and was very involved with the installation of new sound systems as the “new” churches were built and remodeled. She was very involved with the life of the church. Fran was also an amazing cook and really enjoyed sharing her dishes with her friends and neighbors. Frances loved her family, friends, church, band, nursing work, and patients, and she dedicated her life to serving others.

Frances, “Nana”, will be missed very much by her family and community. Beautiful job, “Mom”, “Nana”, and “Franny”!

Frances was laid to rest at Shelby Hills Cemetery, Bristol, TN on August 7, 2020.

A memorial service will be held at the First Presbyterian Church in North Palm Beach, FL on September 5, 2020 at 2:00pm.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to: First Presbyterian Church of North Palm Beach Music Ministry https://www.shelbygiving.com/App/Giving/firs717256 and/or the Symphonic Band of the Palm Beaches Scholarship Fund https://symphonicband.org/ .