Lalla Anne Bowen

Anne is the daughter of the late Malcolm Alexander Watson and Anne Green Watson.  She was born January 24, 1945 in Lumberton, NC and lived in Red Springs, NC until she attended Methodist University in Fayetteville, NC.

Anne attributes her fervor for scholarship and her love and appreciation of the arts to her early immersion in and around the Flora MacDonald College community in Red Springs.  She spent countless hours as a young girl, sitting on the steps of the Conservatory Hall, surrounding herself with the joy and beauty that music created for her.  As a ballet and tap dancer, and a pianist, Anne passed that beauty along to those that she knew.

All that knew Anne know that she had a passion for teaching!  Anne taught at Lake Forest and Mary C. Williams Elementary Schools in Wilmington from 1967 to 1998: 31 years!  Anne learned from her father that one should treat others with respect and she embedded that tenet in her teaching of young children.  Anne loved and was beloved by her students and also stressed the importance of continuing one’s education throughout life.  She was a member of Delta Kappa Gamma, the international society of impactful women in education.  In addition, Anne was elected Elementary Teacher of the Year 1990-91 in New Hanover County!  Education was a constant piece of Anne’s being and she assisted adults struggling with dementia and ADHD.

Anne and Frank travelled throughout the south in the summers.  An area which brought her great delight was the mountains of North Carolina; the cool breezes and sparkling streams were refreshing and Frank knew the mountain roads by heart from his recruiting duties as Director of Alumni for UNC-W.

Anne forged an unbreakable bond with her brother Dave, and holds his wife, Harriett, as her natural sister.  Anne, a devout Christian, consistently gave to and displayed compassion for others.  Anne carries the gratitude for the efforts made on her behalf by family and friends and has a special affinity for all felines especially Maggie!  She’s also a proud Scot who wore her own Watson kilt!

Survivors include her sister-in-law, Brenda Bowen, nieces, Sue G. Tyson, Julie G. Monroe and Teresa McBride, as well as all her special first cousins and their children.

The family would like to thank Anne’s friends, Aimee O. Almond and Amber M. Barbour, the staff of Autumn Care at Myrtle Grove, Hospice of Lower Cape Fear Wilmington and Dr. Birgit A. Arb and her staff for their thoughtful, loving care of Anne during her illness.

A memorial service for Anne, officiated by Rev. Doug Lain, will be held at Wrightsville United Methodist Church, 4 Live Oak Drive, Wrightsville Beach, NC on Tuesday, April 3, 2018 at 2pm.  A graveside service will be held at Alloway Cemetery in Red Springs, NC on Wednesday, April 4, 2018 at 2pm.

In lieu of flowers, memorials in Anne’s name may be made to Wrightsville United Methodist Church, 4 Live Oak Drive, Wrightsville Beach, NC 28480 or Lower Cape Fear Hospice/Wilmington, 1414 Physicians, Drive, Wilmington, NC 28401.

Condolences to the family at www.andrewsmortuary.com