Mildred Grace Bowers

Mildred Grace Murray Bowers was born December 30, 1921 in Neosho, Missouri. She was the daughter of Thomas H. and Mattie (Clark) Murray. Mildred was raised and attended school in Racine, Missouri. Upon completion of her education, Mildred was married to Loyd Charles "Buck" Bowers in Reddings Mill, Missouri on August 22, 1942. Shortly after their marriage, Buck enlisted in the United States Navy and served his country during World War II. While Buck was away during the war, Mildred resided with her family in the Neosho area where Jerry, their first child was born, and passed away after only 6 short months. While Buck was away in the service, Mildred assisted in the war effort by working as "Rosie the Riveter" for Spartan Aeronautics in Tulsa, Oklahoma. After Buck's honorable discharge from the Navy, the couple moved frequently for the next few years, working in California, Wyoming, and Colorado. They had four children, Jerry, Tom, Keith and Vicki. In 1950, the couple settled their family in Tulsa where Buck accepted a position with Texaco's West Tulsa Refinery. Buck and Mildred made many friends in the Texaco Retiree's Group and considered them their extended family. Buck and Mildred moved to their home on Terlton Road near Cleveland in 1967. Shortly after moving to this area, Mildred accepted a short term, part-time position with Terlton School as the cafeteria cook. She continued in this capacity for nearly nineteen years, retiring in 1986. Buck preceded her in death on June 15, 2001. Mildred continued to reside in their home until 2006 when she moved to Sand Springs to reside with her daughter, Vicki. Following the death of Vicki on June 1, 2011, Mildred returned to Cleveland and established her residence at the Baptist Village. Mildred dedicated her life to her family; providing for her husband, children and grandchildren. She was a excellent cook and enjoyed getting the family together for meals on any occasion. She was known throughout the area for her homemade chicken and noodles and her baking talents; providing delicious treats for many family and friends. She was a loving and generous woman who was committed to her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ and was a member of the First Baptist Church in Cleveland. She has been attending the Western Heights Baptist Church with her nephews, Darrell and Garell Murray for the past couple of years. She was a member of the Baptist Village Ringers, ìBELLS FOR HIM,î a bell ringing group that performed at numerous church and civic events in the area including often at the Woodland Hills Mall during the Christmas season. In addition to her love of cooking and the camaraderie associated with having friends and family in her kitchen, Mildred was a valuable assistant to the crocheting ladies at the Baptist Village serving as their yarn ball roller. Mildred entered into eternal rest and was escorted to her heavenly home on Saturday, January 5, 2013 at the Hillcrest Medical Center in Tulsa at the age of ninety-one. In addition to her husband, Buck; Mildred was preceded in death by her parents; a son, Jerry Loyd; her daughter, Vicki Diane McCabe; four brothers, Clifford Murray, Ivan Murray, Haldein (Bob) Murray, and Garland Murray; two sisters, Ruth Elliot Wenz and Hazel Van Dorn; and a daughter-in-law, Lee Ellen Bowers. Mildred is survived by her two sons, Freddie Thomas of Granbury, Texas and Keith Charles and his wife, Lisa Anne Bowers of Terlton, Oklahoma; eight grandchildren, Eric Layne Bowers, Ryan Dale Bowers, Melanie Dawn Copeland, Jeromy Keith Bowers, Nicholas Wayne McCabe, Alisha Rae McCabe, Tony Dewayne Kale and Troy Don Kale; eight great-grandchildren, Derek Anthony Copeland, Shelby Dawn Copeland, Audrey Lynn Bowers, Riley Beth McCabe, Logan Buck McCabe, Kaitlyn Marie Bowers, Tyler Davis Kale and Rhyan Avery Kale; son-in-law, Ronald McCabe of Sand Springs, Oklahoma; sister, Irene Martin of Neosho , Missouri; and a brother, Howard Murray of Buena Vista,Colorado. Funeral services will be held at 10:00 am, Wednesday, January 9, 2013 at the Western Heights Baptist Church with Rev. David Head officiating. Burial will follow at the Woodland Cemetery in Cleveland under the direction of the Chapman-Black Funeral Home.