Mary Lee Patterson Bowen

Mrs. Bowen was born at French Camp on December 31, 1923, the youngest of three children by her late parents William Fancher Patterson and Snow Flake Bowie Patterson. Following graduation from Weir High School she wed James Beverly Bowen of Jackson on May 12, 1942 and they relocated to Columbia Army Air Base in South Carolina for the duration of WWII. At war's end and with Mr. Bowen's successful career in sales and marketing they then experienced numerous moves, living in Americus and Macon, GA, Memphis, TN, Louisville, KY, Birmingham, AL, and New Orleans, LA, before finally settling and retiring in Jackson.

"Lee" - as nearly everyone called her - was an active member of First Presbyterian Church and for several years served as Sunday School Teacher for pre-schoolers. Additionally, Mrs. Bowen was a devoted Bible Study participant. She was noted for her talent in sewing, knitting, cooking and various other crafts and was active with the North Jackson Hobby Club. Other activities and interests were membership in The Daughters of the American Revolution, King's Daughters, reading and travel which included South and Central America, Great Britain, Europe and Russia and of course a great deal of the United States and Canada.

Her husband preceded Mrs. Bowen in death. Lee is survived by daughter Sandra Diane Bowen Bell (husband H. Ford Bell, III) of Winter Park, FL, son James Beverly Bowen, Jr. (wife Gail Temple) of Plano, TX, 4 grand children, and 5 great-grand children.

Visitation at Wright and Ferguson Funeral Home (High St.) on Sunday 4-6 P.M. with visitation on Monday (11:00 A.M.) preceding the Memorial Service (12:00 Noon) both at First Presbyterian Church (N. State St.). Burial at Lakewood Cemetery will be a family-only graveside ceremony.

Family expresses thanks to the Siena personnel at St. Catherine's Village and Dr. Diane Ferguson for their loving care-giving.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to French Camp Academy, One Fine Place, French Camp, MS 39745-9703.