Shirley Ann Bowen, 74, passed away Thursday, April 20, 2017, in Oxford at the home of her daughter and son-in-law. She was born February 6, 1943, to Howe Talmadge and Erdice Sheffield Martin. She lived in the Greenwood community until 2007 when she moved to Oxford to be near her daughter. She was a graduate of Mississippi State University. Until her retirement, she taught first grade at Dorsey Attendance Center for twenty-five years. On January 27, 1963, she wed Gordon Dale Bowen. They were married 43 years until his death October 28, 2006.
Shirley was a member of Greenwood Baptist Church where she sang in the choir and served as organist for a number of years. Known for her beautiful voice, she often sang at area churches and for many weddings and funerals. She also sang on the local television program Christ for the Crisis. She was first runner-up in the Mid South Regional Talent Contest in Memphis, TN, in 1960. In her early years she often sang with George Martin and later with Thomas Clayton. In the early 1980’s she was a part of Southern Tradition, a gospel group from East Fulton Baptist Church. Her hobbies included visiting with friends, attending concerts, shopping, singing, and listening to music.
Services will be at 2 p.m. Saturday, April 22, at the McNeece-Morris Funeral Home Chapel in Fulton with Bro. Jackie Gray officiating. Burial will be in the Keyes Cemetery.
Survivors include her daughter and son-in-law, Charlotte and Chris Dicus, of Oxford; her sister, Patsy Moore (Jerry) of Fulton; sisters-in-law, Georgia Owen (Charles) of Mooreville, Patsy Bennett and Nina Cantrell (Larry) both of Tupelo, and Wanda Bowen of Fulton; nieces, Whitney Thompson, Desha Bennett Cruse, Bridgit Manning Stone, Jana Manning Kidd, and Angela Manning Pongetti; nephews, Kevin Moore, Dr. Joe Bennett, Heath Moore, Andy Manning, Shea Rial, and Jed Moore; and several grandnieces and grandnephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Gordon Bowen; an infant daughter, Marlo Kaye Bowen; a brother-in-law, Major Bowen; and a sister-in-law, Janice Bowen Moore.
Pallbearers will be Ron Landreth, Billy Jefferies, Kevin Martin Moore, Michael Thompson, Thomas Brown, and Joey Wilburn.
Honorary pallbearers will be James Comer and Rickie Comer.
Visitation will be from noon until service time Saturday at the funeral home.
