Laura Frances Willis Jones Bowman

Laura was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. She was an active member of White Plains United Methodist Church since 1965 and a member of the Pathfinders Sunday School Class. She was a graduate of Meredith College and worked for LORD Corporation for several years.

Laura was born on December 3, 1937 to Clarence and Aileen Willis in Laurinburg, NC.

Laura was married to Ivan Bowman of Cary for over 7 years. Laura and Ivan have been recent residents of Searstone, a continuing care community in Cary.

Laura was the widow of David Jones. They were married for 44 years and had two daughters. She is also preceded in death by her parents.

Laura is survived by her daughters, Suzanne Strider (Frank) of Durham and Lisa Gullette (Chris) of Apex. She had four grandchildren who loved her very much-Stephanie Iraggi (Jacob) of Durham, Rebecca Bailey (Kyle) of Lynchburg, VA, Brandon Bouche of Ridgeland, MS and Matthew Bouche of Raleigh. She recently became a great grandmother to Quentin Bailey.

Laura’s surviving sisters are Katherine Mayfield (Tom), Betty Jo Carsner (Dick) and Carol Smith (Bob). Connie Dawes and Hiram Jones (Peggy), David’s siblings were very special to Laura also.

Upon her marriage to Ivan, Laura welcomed his children and grandchildren into her family; Lee Bowman (Ema) and Andra Ehrenkranz (John) and their children- Kyle and Ryan Bowman and Jacob and Zoe Ehrenkranz.

Laura leaves many dear friends, nieces, nephews and great-nieces and great-nephews.

A funeral service will be at 11 a.m. Friday, September 19, 2014 at White Plains United Methodist Church in Cary. A reception will immediately follow the service at church. Burial will be in Raleigh Memorial Park with a graveside service at 2:30 p.m. Friday. Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Thursday at Brown-Wynne Funeral Home in Cary.

Online condolences may be sent to the family through www.brownwynnecary.com.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions be made to White Plains United Methodist Church Memorial Garden Endowment Fund or the charity of your choice. Laura was an initial founder of the Memorial Garden.

We will miss Laura greatly and are thankful she is now rejoicing in Heaven where there is no more pain or sorrow or suffering- only joy in the presence of our Lord.