RIDGELAND — Betty McLendon Bowen passed away on Wednesday, Sept. 9, 2009, at the Highland Home Nursing Home in Ridgeland after suffering from Lewy Body Dementia for an extended period. She was a model of God’s strength and displayed a positive attitude for her grandchildren, family and friends throughout her illness.

Services will be held at First Presbyterian Church in Jackson at 11 a.m. Friday, Sept. 11, 2009.  Visitation will be from 5:30 until 7 tonight, Sept. 10, 2009, at Wright and Ferguson on Highland Colony Parkway and prior to services at First Presbyterian Church at 10 a.m. Friday. 

Betty McLendon Bowen was born on Oct. 12, 1932, in Newton, Miss., to the late Dr. George McLendon and Mary Louise Boyd McLendon. At the age of 5, her family moved to Raymond, where her father served as president of Hinds Junior College for many years. Betty graduated from Raymond High School, and she received her Bachelor of Arts degree in English from Louisiana State University. She also received a master’s degree in library science from the University of Mississippi.

Betty was the wife of Thomas H. Bowen Jr. (Tom). They met in summer school at Hinds Junior College and were married on July 7, 1951. They celebrated their 58th wedding anniversary in July. They lived in San Angelo, Texas, New Orleans and Natchez before moving to Jackson in 1960.

Betty was a lifelong Presbyterian and a member of First Presbyterian Church from the time she and Tom moved to Jackson in 1960.

She was a member of the First Presbyterian choir for many years, which was a great pleasure to her and to many who enjoyed her beautiful soprano voice. She also served in many other areas of church life, including church circles, Bible studies and the food pantry. She worked tirelessly to organize the church library and to compile a history of the First Presbyterian Church. As a result of her many years of service, the Women of the Church selected her to receive the Life Membership award, “The Value of a Life Well-Lived,” in 2001.

Betty was the medical librarian for the Methodist Rehabilitation Center in Jackson for many years. She was very devoted to her profession and loved medical research. She assisted physicians in their research regarding many medical issues, including the treatment of brain and spinal cord injuries. Upon her retirement in 1996, the Methodist Rehabilitation center presented her with the Distinguished Service Award. After her retirement, she volunteered at her church, assisted in bringing the Chamberlain-Hunt Academy Library up to accreditation standards and regularly read Southern Living Magazine for the Radio Reading Program for the Blind. She loved reading for the blind and bringing pleasure into the lives of others.

Betty was a member of the One O’Clock Luncheon Club, the Demitasse Luncheon Club, and she and Tom loved being members of the Reveliers Dance Club. She was also an active bridge player, gardener, cook, and she had a lifetime love for reading.

Most importantly of all, Betty Bowen was a wonderful grandmother. She adored her grandchildren and loved spending time with them and reading with all of them. She always had bananas on hand and made a fresh loaf of banana bread every time they walked though her door. She was known as “Bebe” to her grandchildren, and the example she set as a brave, Christian woman will always be her final gift to them.

She is survived by her husband of 58 years, Tom Bowen; her daughters, Elizabeth Bowen Pollock and Mary Allen Bowen McBride; son-in-law, Chuck McBride; and five grandchildren, Anna Catherine Pollock, Adam Bowen Pollock, Mary Melissa McBride, Emily Allen McBride and Charles Kelly McBride. She is also survived by her devoted sister, Jessie McLendon Thrash, and her brother-in-law, Edsel Earl (Tad) Thrash, as well as her sister-in-law, Janis Bowen Early, and many nieces and nephews.

The family wishes to give special thanks for all of the heartfelt love and prayers of friends who have sustained them throughout her long illness. Special thanks to Dr. Mark Meeks, Dr. Harry Fulcher and to Highland Home Nursing Home for its love and nurturing care. The family also wishes to thank her caregivers: Pat Cornelius, Reynella Cornelius and Ebony Cornelius.

Memorials may be given to the First Presbyterian Church Choir Fund, the Lewy Body Dementia Association Inc., the Bowen Bible Scholarship at Chamberlain-Hunt Military Academy and the McLendon Scholarship at Hinds Community College.