Winnie Fowler

Mrs. Winnie Bell Fowler, age 84, went home to be with her Lord, on Thursday evening, October 16, 2008 at her home, surrounded by her loving family.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Daniel Phillip and Lola Bell Mealer; brothers, Glenn (WWII), Robert, and Roy Mealer; sister, Mae Reece and infant sister, Bessie.
Mrs. Fowler is survived by her loving husband of 62 years, Eddie Eugene Fowler, Sr.; five children, Betty (John) Brimi of Knoxville, TN; Glenda (Robert) Bartley, JoAnne (John) Cook and Beth Headrick all of Dalton and Eddie E. Fowler, Jr. of Chatsworth; grandchildren, Hunter M. (Carrie) Brimi, Jennifer (Allen) Coley, Jill (Randy) Hill, Meghann (Shannon) Coley, Jordan Brown, Lee Fowler, Jeremy (Lacey) Evans, Christopher Jones; great-grandchildren, Chandler, Baliegh, and Emma Coley, Destin Jones, Kaleb and Morgan HIll, Ella Belle and Sawyer Coley; as well as 20 nieces and nephews. Also her loving caregivers; Kathy Newman, Karen Jackson, Robin Hall and Mary Reynoso.
Mrs. Fowler was born in Gilmer County, Georgia, and moved to Dalton at the age of 18 in 1942. In 1945, she shared a hospital room at Hamilton Memorial Hospital with a young woman who quickly became a close friend. Both young ladies had similar backgrounds, and both had brothers serving our country overseas in the second World War. While Winnie had already lost her brother, her friend still had three brothers serving in active duty. Her new friend convinced her to write letters to the brothers. Only one wrote back. She and the young soldier began a steady correspondence and agreed to meet when he returned home from duty. When they finally met their blossoming love grew quickly and they married soon after. In 1946, Eddie and Winnie had no idea what their future would bring them, but with a steady faith in God and each other, they raised five children, witnessed the birth of eight grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. They inspired their children to reach for any goal and that it is an honorable trait to strive for their best in everything.
Soon after her marriage, Mrs. Fowler received her nursing license through Hamilton Memorial Hospital in Dalton. During her nursing career, she worked at Hamilton Memorial, as well as for the late Dr. Albert Boozer, the late Dr. William Gregory, spending her final ten years at the Airport Road Med-Now Clinic. She touched many lives before retiring at the age of 76. Mrs. Fowler was a loving wife and mother devoted to the care of her husband and family. She loved her family, nursing, her flowers, her books, and the gospel music of Elvis Presley. She worked hard throughout her life to provide the best possible futures for her children, and leaves behind a legacy of strength, hard work, faith and love to her family and all those who knew her. She was truly a Proverbs 31 woman.
Mrs. Fowler and her husband were long time members of Dalton Evangelical Methodist Church, and in recent years attended Liberty Baptist Church.
Services to celebrate the life of Mrs. Winnie Bell Fowler will be Sunday at 2 P.M. in the Chapel of Love Funeral Home, Dr. Danny Cochran officiating. The family will receive friends Saturday at Love Funeral Home from 5 to 8 P.M.
A private burial will follow at Center Valley Cemetery.
Special thanks to her caregivers, and Amedisys Hospice for their love and compassion.
Flowers will be accepted, or donations may be made to Amedisys Hospice of Dalton, 1510 North Thornton Avenue, Dalton, GA. 30720 or The Alzheimer’s Association, 855 Abutment Rd., Suite 6, Dalton, Ga. 30721.
Words of comfort may be sent to the family at www.lovefuneralhomega.com.
Love Funeral Home, 1402 N. Thornton Ave., Dalton (across from Hamilton Medical Center) is in charge of arrangements.