It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved father, Milburn H Bowers, who departed this life on September 9, 2025 at the age of 96 in Shreveport, Louisiana. He left us peacefully in his sleep, leaving behind a legacy of faith, hope, curiosity and unwavering devotion to those he cherished.
Born on November 30, 1928 in Nacogdoches County, Texas, Milburn was the son of Isaac Murray Bowers and Polly Henderson. He grew up with a strong sense of family, and a desire to follow God, values that he carried with him throughout his life. He attended East Texas Baptist College in Marshall, Texas and went on to pursue a life of service as a pastor, minister, and shepherd, helping people find God.
Milburn was a devoted husband to Frances Pauline Bozeman Bowers, with whom he shared 65 wonderful years of marriage. Together, they built a loving home and raised three children: Reecie Anita Bowers Mitchum, Laurinda Ruth Bowers Stovall (Rindy),husband Richard and Frances Renae Bowers-Carnahan, husband Tim. He was a proud and supportive father, with high standards. His grandchildren, Brittany Benfield, husband Colin, Kristin Rainbolt, husband Daniel, Matthew Carnahan, James Stovall, and great grandsons, Judah, Asher, Levi Rainbolt, and Dylan Benfield, were a special joy in his life, and he cherished every moment spent with them.
Dad demonstrated a propensity for becoming a preacher when, at the age of 5, he stood on his mother’s trunk and began to preach. He was ordained at 16 and began preaching in local Baptist churches around Nacogdoches on occasion. He was the first member of his family to go to college. Two truly significant events in his life occurred while he was pursuing his education at East Texas Baptist College. He had a deep and profound encounter with God which resulted in a lifelong determination and persistence to continue seeking God. Milburn met Pauline while he was a visiting preacher at the Washington Baptist Church, Keithville, where she was singing in the choir. He often earned his living with other jobs, but always served God and his local church in some capacity: teacher, preacher, deacon, elder, or music director. He was there to serve. He obtained a Master’s degree in Social Work and pursued a Master of Divinity degree at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. All while teaching math and shop, working in a factory, driving a truck, being a juvenile probation officer, a social worker and many more. He wasn’t perfect, and failed many times, but always, with Pauline’s help, he got up and tried again. Known for his love of meeting and talking with people, he rarely forgot a name or a face. He touched many lives. Following a brain injury shortly after Pauline’s death, he couldn’t participate actively in the study and life of the local Church
in Shreveport.
He is survived by children, Laurinda Stovall and Renae Bowers-Carnahan, grandchildren Brittany Benefield, Kristin Rainbolt, James Stovall, and Matthew Carnahan and great grandchildren and is preceded in death by Pauline Bowers and Reecie Mitchum.
A visitation for H will be held Monday, September 15, 2025 from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Centuries Memorial Funeral Home, 8801 Mansfield Road, Shreveport, LA 71108. A Celebration of Life will occur Tuesday, September 16, 2025 at 1:00 PM at Centuries Memorial Funeral Home. He will be laid to rest in Centuries Memorial Funeral Home & Park, 8801 Mansfield Road, Shreveport, LA 71108-5813; Good Shepherd; Lot: 88D, Grave: 2.
Donations may be made to Springs of Grace Baptist Church, Shreveport, LA or East Texas Baptist University, Marshall, TX in Milburn H Bowers’ honor.
We will forever hold Milburn Bowers in our hearts and treasure the memories we shared. May he rest in peace and joy with God in heaven.
