A Sad Goodbye...

L.A. “Buddy” Bowen, Sr., 83, of Tifton died Monday, January 26, 2009, at Tift Regional Medical Center. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, January 29, 2009, in the Memorial Chapel of Tifton’s First Baptist Church. Dr. W. Ches Smith, III, Dr. Wayne Roe and Rev. Paul Thomas will officiate with burial to follow in Oak Ridge Cemetery. The family will receive friends on Wednesday, January 28, 2009, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Bowen-Donaldson Home for Funerals.

Mr. Bowen was born on September 26, 1925 in Dooly County and was the son of Samuel Franklin Bowen and Minnie Lee Allison Bowen, both deceased. He was also preceded in death by three brothers and two sisters. He was retired from the automotive distribution business and an active member of Tifton’s First Baptist Church, where he served as an usher fro over 40 years. He was also active in the Tifton Kiwanis Club, of which he was President in 1957. He enjoyed playing golf and was a member of Springhill Country Club.

Mr. Bowen is survived by his wife, Mary Ann Beall Bowen of Tifton; three sons and two daughters-in-law, Sonny and Carolyn Bowen of Tifton, Sam Bowen of Tifton and Tommy and Teresa Bowen of Atlanta; one daughter and son-in-law, Leta Ann and Mike Bennett of Tifton; ten grandchildren, Michael Bennett, Mary Allison Bennett Dotson, Sarah Beth Bennett, Bo Bennett, Sammi Bowen, Mary Swins, Lauren Fresh, Anna Hasty, John Hasty and Chris Bennett; and three great grandchildren, Anne Dotson, Caroline Dotson and Tayler Bennett.