Mary Lee Bowers, 84, of Knoxville Tennessee, passed away on Monday, March 19, 2018. She was born to the late Lee and Imogene Thomas on February 26, 1934 of Sevierville. She graduated from Sevier County High School and received a BS from the University of Tennessee. Mary Lee was one of the “Sevierville Four” majorettes marching with the Pride of the Southland Band throughout her college career. The majorettes choreographed their own routines and made many of their own costumes. Among many other awards and honors, she was crowned Ramp Queen in the early 50’s. President Truman was in attendance at the festival and was delighted to meet Mary Lee. She was featured in a Life magazine article about the festival. In addition to her business success with her husband Jim, Mary Lee enjoyed a successful modeling career well into her 70’s. She worked in print, television, and most enjoyed runway modeling. Mary Lee was an active member of Holy Ghost Catholic Church in Knoxville. She was a daily communicant and avid reader of her Bible. She is survived by her husband of 62 years, James A. Bowers; her brother, Joe Thomas of Seymour; her sister Billie Womack of Oak Ridge; special nieces: Tina Thomas Dotson (David) and Sherry Lee Thomas Bell (John); very special great nieces Madalyn Bell Bryant (Seth) and Grace Dotson; her sisters-in-law Rose Marie Turner (Dick) of Birmingham, Alabama and Ruthie Bowers of Cocoa Beach, Florida; her brothers-in-law Patrick J. Bowers, Sr. of Atlanta, Georgia and John K. Bowers (Ann) of Bedford, Iowa; numerous nieces and nephews, cousins and many dear friends. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at Holy Ghost Catholic Church, 1041 North Central Avenue, Knoxville, TN at 10:00 AM on Monday, March 26, 2018 with the interment immediately following in Sherwood Memorial Gardens, 3176 Airport Highway in Alcoa, TN. In lieu of flowers, at Mary Lee’s request, donations may be made to Holy Ghost Catholic Church, 111 Hinton Avenue, Knoxville, Tennessee 37917. Please visit www.sherwoodchapel.net to leave condolences for the family.
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