Minnie Bowers' Obituary
Minnie Isabel “Min” Powell Bowers passed away peacefully on December 9, 2016. She was born to Ella Wilson Powell and Jesse Dixon Powell in Fitzgerald, Georgia on August 25, 1926, the third of three daughters. Educated in the schools of Fitzgerald, she was valedictorian of her graduating class in 1943. She attended the Georgia State College for Women for two years and graduated from the University of Georgia in 1947. She was a member of the Tri Delta Sorority and enjoyed many lifelong friendships with her sorority sisters. Min began her career as a teacher in Gainesville, Georgia, where she met the love of her life, Charles Andrew (Andy) Bowers, whom she married in 1950. Andy’s career in the Savings and Loan field led them to Atlanta, Georgia in 1954, and then to Milton, Florida in 1961, with Min continuing her teaching career in Atlanta and Milton. Min Bowers was a dedicated educator. She was highly respected and was an outstanding 8th grade English teacher, earning the Teacher of the Year designation in 1971 while teaching at Hobbs Middle School in Milton. Min was active in professional organizations during her career and at retirement became an active member of the Santa Rosa Retired Teachers Association. Min was an active member of the First United Methodist Church of Milton where she served as Treasurer of UMW and Chairman of Mary McMillan UMW Circle, as well as serving in other church leadership positions. She could always be counted on to pitch in to take care of whatever needed to be done, and was an inspiration to others. She was a devoted wife, and was Andy’s caretaker during the years he battled cancer prior to his death in 1999. Min was also an avid bridge player. Her friendly smile, contagious laugh and love of life will always be remembered by those whom she knew and loved. She was preceded in death by were her husband of 49 years, Charles Andrew (Andy) Bowers, her parents, Jesse Dixon Powell and Ella Wilson Powell, and her sister, Mary Ruth Powell Ruttenber. Left to cherish the memories of Min Bowers are her sister, Elizabeth Powell Tabor of Perry, Georgia, nieces Mary Isabel Cummings (Lloyd) of Warner Robins, Georgia and Beth Tabor Mitchell (Larry) of Perry, Georgia, nephews Jeffrey Mercer Ruttenber (Clarice) of Ocala, Florida, and Allen Ralph Tabor, Jr. (Art) of Macon, Georgia, and several great nieces and nephews. Memorial services will be held in Fitzgerald, Georgia at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family respectfully requests memorial contributions to First United Methodist Church of Milton, 6819 Berryhill St., Milton, Florida 32570 for the Endowment Fund in memory of Min Bowers. The family expresses a special "Thank You" to the administration and staff of Christ Sanctified Church Home and to everyone at Gentiva Hospice for the loving care they provided.
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