Irene Bowen

Mrs. Irene Cooper Bowen, 91, of Dalton, passed away Friday, August, 28, 2009 at her home.
She was born June 16,1918 in Athens, West Virginia to the late Fred and Pearl Cooper and was preceded in death by her brother, Dr. Harry Cooper of Beckley, W. VA. and brother-in-law, Guy Scyphers of Athens, W.VA.
Mrs. Bowen was a homemaker and teacher. She retired from the Dalton City School System in 1975 where she taught third grade at Old City Park, Brookwood and Westwood Schools for 22 years. She had previously taught school in Bramwell, W. VA. and Athens, W. VA.. She was a graduate of Concord College (now Concord University) in Athens, W. VA. and the University of Oklahoma in Norman, Oklahoma.
She belonged to Dalton Garden Club, Lesche Club and Retired Educators Association. She was a member of First Baptist Church of Dalton for 67 years where she served as a teacher and missionary society leader.
Irene is survived by her husband, Charles E. Bowen, Sr., and daughter, Peggy Bowen Green of Dalton; son and daughter-in-law, Dr. Charles and Claire Bowen of Acworth, GA.; grandchildren, Joanie and Matt Dufek of Tallahassee, FL., Tracy and Adam Lovelady of Richmond, VA., Chuck and Desiree Bowen of Charlottesville, VA., Benjamin Bowen, Michael Bowen and Kittye Bowen of Provo, UT.; great-grandchildren, Anna McClean of Tallahassee, FL., Carter Lovelady of Richmond, VA., Natalie and Chase Bowen of Charlottesville, VA.; sister, Mrs. Fran Scyphers of Athens, W. VA.; sisters-in-law, Mrs. Connie Cooper of Beckley, W.VA., and Mrs. Polly Payne and her husband, Adolphus of Dawson, GA.; nieces and nephews.
Services to celebrate the life of Mrs. Bowen will be held Monday at 4 P.M. at the First Baptist Church of Dalton with Dr. Bill Wilson, Dr. Billy Nimmons, the Rev. Phillip Cannon and the Rev. Larry Flanagan officiating.
Burial will follow in Whitfield Memorial Gardens.
The family will receive friends in the Atrium of the First Baptist Church from 1 to 4 P.M. on Monday.
The family would like to thank those who attended to Mrs. Bowen in her final days for their care and compassion.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be made to the First Baptist Church of Dalton, P.O. Box 827, Dalton, GA. 30722 or to the Dalton Education Foundation, Inc., 606 Harris St., 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.