On August 18, 2014 family, friends, and the people of Tift County lost one of their friendliest and most loving souls, Frances Bowen. On Friday, August 22, 2014, a memorial service and celebration of her life will be held at the Memorial Chapel of the First Baptist Church in Tifton at 2:00 p.m., followed by a reception in the church’s Memorial Social Hall.
Frances was born to Walter and Frances Davenport Rylander on December 17, 1925 in Americus, Georgia. Frances’ father, Walter Rylander, Sr., was an inspired entrepreneur who brought the first automobile dealership to South Georgia. He also developed and built the Rylander Theatre in Americus. As a soldier in World War I, he was a First Lieutenant in the motor transport division where he was stationed in France and Germany. After the war he posed as the model for the American Doughboy statues. Frances’ mother, Frances Davenport Rylander, was a skilled pianist for the Methodist church where her father served. She was preceded in death by one brother, Walter Jr.
Unfortunately her father died just before Frances’s fifth birthday. Growing up during the hard times of the Great Depression and through the perilous years of World War II was challenging for single parent families. Frances made the best of those years as she became independent, resourceful, and spiritual.
In 1947, Frances married James L. Bowen, Jr. Their marriage of 61 years brought fourth much love and joy. During that time they had four children who were the focus of their world. James preceded her in death in 2008.
Everyone who knew Frances felt her kindness. She was always trying to make someone else’s day a little more pleasant. Whether a phone call, a visit, a smile, or some cookies, she would go out of her way to brighten someone’s day.
It was not hard to tell that Frances’ first love was her family. Her children, relatives, and friends knew that they were loved and could count on her. As a family they had many good times together which she truly enjoyed.
Frances had a way with young people and could communicate with them well. She worked with Scouts and church youth groups and really enjoyed having teenagers in her home.
Frances was a sports enthusiast and quite an athlete. When she was not participating, she was an avid fan. This was especially true concerning the Georgia Bulldog football team. In her eighties she watched the games wearing a MAMA DOG T-shirt and could tell you about every player on the team concerning their position and performance.
Frances loved the simple things in life: sunsets, wildlife, lakes, oceans, mountains, stars, and the changing seasons. She marveled at the beauty and greatness of them each day.
Frances was full of love, and if you knew her, you felt it. She was a devout follower of Christ’s teachings. Two of her favorite verses came from the book of Mark: Chapter 11, Verses 20-26 and Chapter 12, Verses 28-34.
Frances is survived by her children Bonnie (Bernard) Banks of Charlotte, NC; Fran (Chuck) Conti of Greenville, SC; Nanci Bowen of Greenville, SC; Harry (Kay) Bowen of Tifton, GA. Frances is also survived by her much loved grandchildren Macy Bowen of Chandler, AZ and Allie (J.P.) Johnston of Tifton, GA. Her most resent love was the birth of her “miracle” great-grandson Bowen Johnston.
In recent years Frances enjoyed the company of her caregivers: Reasie Hughes, Randi Hess, Connie Carithers, Olivia Furgerson, Barbara White, and Brenda McCant. The family is grateful to these friends for their loving care to Frances.
Family and friends will miss her very much. She was a kind woman and a good daughter, wife, mother, and Mema.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Nanci Bowen Charity Event, c/o Hospice, 618 N. Central Ave., Tifton, GA 31794 (benefiting hospice and oncology services of Tiftarea) or the charity of your choice.