Joseph Robert “Joe” Bowers passed away Sunday, November 16, 2014.
He was born in Fayetteville, Ga., May 01, 1924 to the late Joseph Edward Bowers and Winnie Clyde Mask Bowers.
Joe served in the US Air Force during WWII receiving the WWII Victory Medal of Honor. He was employed with Delta Airlines and Farmers & Merchants Bank locally in Fayetteville. In 1963, Joe was appointed by Congress as Postmaster, United States Postal Service, Fayetteville, Ga. where he served for 30 years. He was an active lifetime member of Starrs Mill Baptist Church, Fayetteville, now New Hope South Campus. He was ordained as a Deacon in 1947 and served consecutively and continuously on the Board of Deacons for the church for 50+ years. He was the Sunday School director for 33 years.
He proudly served Fayette County and the immediate areas in many capacities during his life. He was active and served in leadership roles in the March of Dimes serving the local organization as treasurer for many years, local Cancer Society for Fayette County and the Heart Association. Joe served actively for 20+ years in the Fayette County Kiwanis Club serving as the president for the Kiwanis twice. He has been a Legionnaire of the American Legion Post #105 for 67 years serving actively and consecutively 66 years. He served as the Finance Officer for Post #105 for more than 40 years. He was voted as an Honorary Life Time Member of the Legion Post #105 10 years ago and has been chosen the Post Legionnaire of the Year. Most recently in April of 2014, he was chosen and honored as the Fayette County Hometown Hero by the American Legion Post #105 and O’Charley’s in Fayetteville where he was honored with a beautiful ceremony.
He was a loving, caring and respectful husband, father, grandfather, uncle and friend.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his son-in-law Jim Short.
He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Evie Bowen Bowers; daughters Ann Short, Gastonia, N.C., and Robin St. John (Heinz Dierselhuis), Peachtree City, Ga.; 2 grandchildren, Marie Short Huitt and her husband Jon, and Jason Short, Gastonia, N.C.; brother, Eugene Bowers and Adrian, Rome, Ga.; sister, Louise Callahan, Fayetteville, Ga., and 3 great grandchildren, nieces and nephews.
Visitation was held Tuesday evening 5 p.m. – 8 p.m. at Mowell Funeral Home, Fayetteville. The service will be held Wednesday, November 19, 2014 at 2 p.m., New Hope South, Hwy 74. Burial will follow at Camp Memorial Cemetery, Hwy 54, Fayetteville, Ga.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to American Legion Post #105, Attn: Joe Bowers Memorial, P.O. Box 441, Fayetteville, Ga. 30214 or New Hope Baptist Church, Attn: Joe Bowers Memorial, 1563 Hwy 74, Senoia, Ga. 30276.
Carl J. Mowell & Son Funeral Home, 180 N. Jeff Davis Drive, Fayetteville, Ga.
