“For God so loved the world, He gave his only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” John 3:16
Our beloved mother and grandmother, Fannie Mae “Mamaw” Kemp Bowers, of Elizabethton, was welcomed into her eternal heavenly home on Thursday, November 10, 2016, following an extended illness.
Mrs. Bowers was preceded in death by her parents, Greene and Emma Hyder Kemp; brothers, Fred and Kyle Kemp; and a sister, Marie Kemp Lewis.
Until her illness, Mrs. Bowers was an active member of Riverview Baptist Church. She was a retired employee of Inland Container. Early in her career, Mrs. Bowers worked at a Greeneville facility for 30 days to prove that women deserved equal pay for equal work. She was one of a few women who finished the temporary assignment. Because of her efforts, all women’s wages were increased.
Survivors include her sons, Lynn Bowers and wife, Karen, Elizabethton, and Jim Bowers and wife Debbie, Elizabethton; a daughter, Carolyn “Susie” Jenkins of Maryland; one brother, Kale Kemp and wife Geraldine; one sister, Sally Kemp Guy and husband Cecil; a beloved sister-in-law, Anne Kemp; four grandsons, Jimmy Bowers and wife Molly, Adam Bowers, Eric Flynn Bowers and Cody Turbyfill; two granddaughters, Melissa McClellan and partner Randy Hartman, and Melanie Rhea; great-granddaughters, Allison Pierce and Sierra Pierce Vines and husband Jacob; a great-grandson, Brandon Rhea; a great-great-grandson, Kolton Pierce; and special friends, Willie Douglas, Crystal Birchfield and Cassi Reece. Many beloved nieces and nephews also survive. A special thank you to Theron Johnson for his long-time friendship and visits during Mamaw’s illness.
Funeral services for Fannie Mae Kemp Bowers will be conducted at 7 p.m. Saturday, November 12, at Memorial Funeral Chapel with Pastors Larry Shorter and Mark Grubb officiating. Music will be under the direction of Karen Elliott. The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 5 to 7 p.m. Saturday, prior to the service, and other times at the home of her son, Jim Bowers, Elizabethton. Graveside services and interment will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday, November 13, at Happy Valley Memorial Park. Family and friends are asked to meet at the funeral home at 1:20 p.m. Sunday to go to the cemetery. Active pallbearers will be selected from friends and family. Condolences may be sent to the family at our website: www.memorialfcelizabethton.com.
Memorial Funeral Chapel is serving the Bowers family