Shirley Ray Bowen

Yadkinville Mrs. Shirley Myers Hutchens Bowen, 78, passed away Wednesday, March 23, 2016 at Clemmons Village. Mrs. Bowen was born September 13, 1937 in Yadkin County to Lester and Annie Dixon Myers. She was a lifelong member of Forbush Baptist Church. Mrs. Bowen worked as a receptionist at RJ Reynolds, where she loved meeting new people and greeting visitors. She also worked at the Yadkin County Tax office for several years. She volunteered with the RP Buchanan Scholarship Fund, which she cherished. Mrs. Bowen enjoyed gardening and sharing her plants with family, friends, and strangers. She also enjoyed spending time at the YMCA. In addition to her parents, Mrs. Bowen was preceded in death by her first husband, Donald Hutchens; her son, Sgt. Mickey Hutchens; her brother, Lester Ray Myers, Jr.; and two sisters, Margaret Weatherman and Ethel (Ewell) Plyler. She is survived by her loving husband of 10 years, Donald Eugene Bowen; two daughters, Sherri Stenberg and Wendy (John) Wicker; three step daughters, Marta Bowen, Kristy (Scott) Hatch, and Julie (Don) Horne; her daughter-in-law, Beth Hutchens; five grandchildren, Jillian Hutchens Mullins, Leah (Corey) Mitchell, Rebecca (Daniel) Beaudry, Rachel Brown, and Preston Wicker; two great grandchildren, Robert Mullins and Madeline Beaudry; three step grandchildren, Olivia, Collin, and Isabella Horne; her sister, Linda (Tommy) Pegram of Lewisville; her brother-in-law, Thad Weatherman; and numerous nieces and nephews. A funeral service will be conducted Friday, March 25, 2016 at 11:00AM at Forbush Baptist Church with Rev. Robin Dixon and Rev. Corey Mitchell officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. The family will receive friends from 10:00 to 11:00AM prior to the service at the church. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be made to the RP Buchanan Scholarship Endowment, c/o NC Community Foundation Landmark Center II North, 4601 Six Forks Rd Suite 524 Raleigh, NC 27609 or to The Alzheimer's Foundation of America 322 Eighth Ave., 7th fl. New York, NY 10001. The family wishes to express their sincere appreciation to Kaye Mullis, Kathy Briggs, the staff of Clemmons Village, and the staff of Mtn.Valley Hospicefor the loving care given to Mrs. Bowen. Online condolences may be made at www.gentryfuneralservice.com. Gentry Family Funeral Service in Yadkinville is serving the Bowen family.