Juanita Bowen

The children of Juanita H. Bowen, age 98, are sad to announce the peaceful passing of their mother at home on June 14, 2023 surrounded by her family. She was a lifelong resident of Pitts.  Graveside services will be held at 2:00 PM Saturday, June 17th in the Pitts Cemetery.   Reverend Quillian Barfield will officiate.

Mrs. Bowen was born on April 27, 1925 in Cordele, Ga.  She was daughter of the late Edward Lee Hardy and Eva Penny (Blanchard) Hardy.  She was the oldest member of the Double Run Baptist Church, the Adult Sunday School Class and the Church Choir. Her husband “Coot” built a grocery store in Pitts in 1960.  After his death in 1968, Juanita had to assume the responsibilities of the farm, cows, hogs and grocery store as well as raising her 4 young children.  After selling the grocery store in 1989, Juanita began growing chickens for Tyson where she was awarded grower of the year numerous times.  After 10 years of producing chickens, she retired at 80 years young.  Two years later she fought and won a battle with ovarian cancer.  She was the last living member of the 1943 Wilcox County graduating class.  She is preceded in death by her husband, Alvin Clark “Coot” Bowen and a daughter, Tammy Lee Bowen and her second husband, Charles Brown.

Survivors include:  son-Clark Bowen (Lorie Smith), daughters-Brenda Gunn-Reed (Bobby Reed) and Sheila Bowen, grandchildren-Alexandra Bowen (Bryan), Jenna Rose Gordon Hattaway, Dustin Lynn Gordon, and Cindy Smith (David), great-grandchildren-Nikki Smith, Cassie Gordon, Brandon “Bo” Gordon, Brooklyn Sturman and Madison Hattaway.

Frazier and Son Funeral and Cremation Services is in charge of arrangements.