Thelma McGee Bowen

Thelma M. Bowen - born May 2, 1937, a native of Richton, MS and a long time resident of Mobile, departed this life on March 31, 2012. She was a graduate of Richton High School and Jones Co. Junior College. She came to Mobile in 1957 and went to work for Alcoa Steamship Co. After several years with Alcoa, she left the work force to raise a family, but returned to work for the state of Alabama in 1983 with the Dept. of Forensic Sciences, then in 1985, transferred to the Alabama State Docks. She retired from the Docks in 2002. She was preceded in death by her husband of 47 years, John H. Bowen; her parents E. E. McGee, Sr. and Myra W. McGee; and a brother, Clyde McGee. She is survived by her children, John C. Bowen and wife, Vanessa of Tupelo, MS, Rebecca B. Bogan and husband, Michael of San Diego, CA; four grandchildren, Francis Bowen of Conway, AK, Georgeanna Bowen of Tupelo, MS, Geoffrey Bogan of Cisco, CA, and Jensen Bogan of San Diego, CA; a brother, E. E. McGee, Jr. and wife Rubye of Richton, MS; a twin sister, Velma M. Kalter and husband, Donel of Mobile; numerous nieces and nephews and grand nieces and nephews. Mrs. Bowen was a long time active member of Spring Hill Presbyterian Church, and was noted for her volunteer work in the community over the years. Some of her volunteer work included serving as Sec./ Treas. for the School for Special Children when it was first organized back in the late 80's; and with the Salvation Army as a volunteer for many years in the first aid rooms of Dodge Elementary School and Hillsdale Middle School. She has always been an enthusiastic supporter of the Mobile Botanical Gardens of which her husband was one of the founding members. Memorial services will be held at the Spring Hill Presbyterian Church Chapel at 1:00 p.m., Wednesday, April 4, 2012. The family will receive friends following the service. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that memorials may be made to the Local Missions Program of Spring Hill Presbyterian Church or the Mobile Botanical Gardens.