Jane Shelton Bowers died on Saturday, March 21, 2009, in an area nursing facility.
Born Feb. 4, 1915, in Chattanooga to Mary and Clement Lee Shelton, Jane began on the cradle roll her long membership at First Presbyterian Church, where she taught Sunday school and co-founded the church library. She volunteered with the Changed Lives ministry, taught Good News Bible clubs, and supported many missionaries. She also served in the Memorial Hospital Auxiliary.
She grew up on Vine Street, attended the Greeta Wert Elementary School and graduated from Girls Preparatory School. She was a graduate of Sweetbriar College in Virginia, where she majored in psychology.
She was preceded in death by her first husband, Robert Patten “Pat” Williams; second husband, Robert Clayton Bowers; sister, Mary Shelton (Mrs. George M. Sr.) Clark; and daughter, Jane “Patsy” Williams Scott.
Despite these losses, Jane remained firm and encouraged in her faith, often affirming Psalm 34:1, “I will bless the Lord at all times; his praise shall continually be in my mouth.”
Jane loved and inspired her family.
She is survived by her children, Barbara Bowers (Charles) Kendrick-Holmes, of Lafayette, Al., Mary Elizabeth “Betty” Bowers (David) Hanks, of Augusta, Ga., Robert Henry (Wendy) Williams, of Lookout Mountain, Tn., and Margaret Sharp Williams (Thomas) Stewart, of Gainesville, Ga.; and by grandchildren, David Scott, of Boston, Ma., Ellen (Stephen) Hellier, of Mableton, Ga., Robert (Elizabeth) Scott, of Athens, Ga., Dimon (Bess) Kendrick-Holmes of Columbus, Ga., Clayton (Johanna) Kendrick-Holmes, of Bronx, New York, Lelia (Wayne) Jones, of Columbia, S.C., Dorothy (Robert) Bryan, of Charlotte, N.C., Cary (Chris) Drinkard, of Augusta, Ga., Evan (Imelda) Williams, of Chattanooga, Kira (Peter) Hopkins, of Seattle, Wa., Tacy (Stephen) Beck, of Annapolis, Md., Eric Williams, of Lookout Mountain, Katherine Stewart, of Augusta, and Benjamin (Abigail) Stewart, of Jacksonville, Fl.; as well as by 26 great-grandchildren.
A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. on Friday, at First Presbyterian Church, Chattanooga, following a graveside service for the family.
The family will receive friends in the church connector following the memorial service.
Memorials may be sent to First Presbyterian Church Missions in Chattanooga, Child Evangelism Fellowship of Chattanooga, or the Public School Bible Study Committee.
Arrangements are by Wann Funeral Home.