Dateline: Maryville, IL
Lois Marie Bowers, 90, died at 11:35 a.m. Wednesday, May 24, 2017 at Anderson Hospital in Maryville, IL. Born July 10, 1926 in Durham, NC, she was the daughter of Lynnwood Franklin and Louetta (Haney) Creel. Mrs. Bowers was a homemaker and a member of Sanford Avenue Baptist Church in Alton. On December 9, 1944 she married James R. Bowers Jr. in Durham, NC. He preceded her in death on July 22, 2013. Surviving are three sons, James R. Bowers III, PhD, (Yoshi) of Tokyo, Japan, Bruce Franklin Bowers (Carol) of Caseyville, IL, and Pastor Daniel C. Bowers (Cindy) of Alton, seven grandchildren, MarLo Huffington of Marshall, IL, Martin Bowers (Jennifer) of Lincoln, IL, Marcie Tournear (Atticus) of Bloomington, IL, Leah Henderson (Nathan), Molly Larson (Josh), Faith McDaniel (Evan), and Lt. James R. Bowers IV (Holly), and several great grandchildren. Also surviving are three brothers, Lynnwood Creel Jr. (Ruth) of Roanoke, VA, Reverend Timothy Creel (Ruth A.) of Greenville, NC, and David Creel (Judy) of Durham, NC. Along with her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by two sisters, Frankie Holbrook and Violet Yates. Visitation will be from 11:00-11:45 a.m. followed by prelude music presented by family members until time of the funeral service at 12:00 noon Tuesday, May 30, 2017 at Sanford Avenue Baptist Church in Alton followed by burial at 2:15 p.m. at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery in St. Louis, MO. Pastor Dan Bowers will officiate. Memorials may be made to Sanford Avenue Baptist Church. Gent Funeral Home in Alton is in charge of arrangements. Online guestbook and information may be found at www.gentfuneralhome.com
