She was preceded in death by her father, Ruey N. Downing; her mother, Amanda Bennett Downing; her beloved daughter, Deborah Long Burgess; her husband, Dale Bowers; and two sisters, Maxine Tripp and Madeline Dickens.
Survivors include a son, Gregory Long of Roanoke Rapids; a daughter, Marilyn Long Norwood (Willie Norwood, Jr.) of Easley, SC; four siblings, Vera Clements, Joyce Reid, Nick Downing and Ray Downing; grandchildren; nieces and nephews; and special friends.
The funeral service for Mrs. Bowers will be held at 2 pm Thursday in the chapel of Hockaday Funeral and Cremation Service with Pastor Currie Burgess presiding.
Interment will follow in Cedarwood Cemetery.
Online condolences may be left at hockadayfs.com.
Arrangements are under the care of Hockaday Funeral and Cremation Service.