AKRON - Gloria Jean Pratt Bowen, 82, left her earthly home to be welcomed into her new heavenly home at 7:30 a.m. March 29, 2007. She had been in failing health for many years.
She was born Sept. 12, 1924, in Fulton County, to Ralph and Beulah Churchill Pratt. On July 10, 1948, at Omega Church, near Akron, she married Paul Nelson Bowen, who passed away Oct. 31, 1997. They were married for 49 years.
She was a 1942 graduate of Akron High School and was active in the local church and YTC in her younger years. She sang in a quartet during those years with her future husband, Paul, her brother, Ralph (Rolly), and good friend Lovie Bowen Mathias. She enjoyed working with youth and was the leader of the LTL for many years as well as the Omega Youth Group. She was a long-time member of Omega Church and also had served as a song leader and Sunday school teacher. She worked at the Akron Public Library as an assistant librarian for 37 years, and was a member of Akron WCTU.
Surviving are three children: David (and wife Jane) Bowen, Lawrenceville, Ga.; Mrs. George (Carol) Graham and Mrs. Mark (Janet) Hawley, both of Akron; a brother, Ralph R. (and wife Phyllis) Pratt, Mishawaka; eight grandchildren: Mrs. Ed (Robin) Heckaman, and Matthew, Rachel and Michaela Hawley, all of Akron; Uriah Graham, Bourbon; Mrs. Mark (Charity) Trent, Goshen; Michael (and wife Jennifer) Fulford, Lawrenceville; and Richard Fulford, Myrtle Beach, S.C.; seven great-grandchildren: Gavin, Katie and Nathaniel Heckman, Akron; Trey Trent, Nappanee; and Mackenzie and Emerson Fulford, both of Lawrenceville; and many wonderful nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, both parents and a grandson, Caleb Hucks.
Services will be at 10:30 a.m. Monday at Hartzler Funeral Home, Akron, with Pastor Thomas Tupps officiating. Burial will be in Akron Cemetery.
Calling is from 2 to 5 p.m. Sunday and one hour prior to services on Monday at the funeral home.
Memorials to the Hope Hospice of Fulton County; Omega Church, Akron; or the Akron Public Library.
