Fred Carl Bowers

Notes:

Died:
Fred Carl Bowers, age 84, passed away on Monday, February 21, 2022, following an extended illness. A native of Carter County, Fred was the only son of the late Roby DeWitt Bowers and Myrtle Campbell Bowers. Fred lived in Elizabethton his entire life. As a boy, he was active in MYF and was a member of Boy Scout Troop #30, achieving the Silver Award in the 1940s. A 1955 graduate of Elizabethton High School, Fred was the photographer for the high school yearbook and was voted “Most Artistic.” His passion for photography blossomed, and he went to work for the Elizabethton Star during his junior year. Following his graduation, he accepted a position with Coleman’s Studio, where he worked for 44 years until his retirement in 1999. Over the years, he photographed thousands of school children, hundreds of brides, sporting events of every kind, and countless studio portraits for families and individuals. Fred’s gift of seeing the best in everyone is evidenced in his work. He paid forward what his mentors taught him as he trained numerous young photographers along the way. His photography was recognized by his peers with many awards over the course of his career. Fred played trombone in the Elizabethton High School band, where he met a young clarinet player named Mary Ruth Hathaway. On their second date, he introduced her to his mother as his wife. The rest, as they say, is history.
Fred was a charter member of the Elizabethton chapter of the Order of DeMolay. He was a fifty-year member of Dashiell Lodge #238, Free and Accepted Masons; Past Worthy Patron of Sycamore Chapter #163, Order of the Eastern Star; former member of the Advisory Board of the Order of Rainbow for Girls, Elizabethton #71, and a recipient of the Grand Cross of Color. He was a member of the Professional Photographers of America (PPA) for many years. Fred was a faithful member of Elizabethton First United Methodist Church; he and Ruth had returned to the first church they attended as newlyweds. He was delighted to be a “Pop” to his grandchildren and his great grandchildren. A talented cartoonist, he created personalized, hand-drawn “Pop cards” for his family and close friends for all occasions of note.
In addition to his parents, Fred was preceded in death by one son in law, Noel Muhn, who passed away on December 19, 2021.
He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Ruth Hathaway Bowers. Three daughters: Deborah & Larry Gouge; Betsy Bowers; and Roberta Muhn. Five grandchildren: Justin & Elizabeth Muhn; Dr. Jamis Gouge & Dr. Veronica Sudekum Gouge; Captain Daniel Muhn & Staff Sergeant Kendall Muhn; Jerran C. Gouge; and Brittney Muhn Tapp & fiancé Alex Lancaster, IV. Three great granddaughters: Kylee Muhn, Bella Tapp, and Keri Muhn.
A celebration of Fred’s life will be held at First UMC of Elizabethton on Thursday, February 24, at 6:00 PM with Reverend Raymond Amos Sr officiating. The family will receive friends from 4:00 PM till 5:45 PM. Music will be under the direction of Gabriel Short, Susan Heaton, Pianist and David Arney, Organist. The service will be live-streamed on the First United Methodist Church Facebook website, www.fumcelizabethton.com . Scroll down the home page and half way down the right side, click on “Click Here to Join Us On Line” to view the Live Stream.
The family thanks Dr. Arnold, Dr. Jeff Hopland, Dr. Kenny Hopland; Dr. Justin Digby; Dr. Eric Groen; Dr. Shobha Hiremegular; and the superior nursing staff at the Sycamore Shoals Inpatient Surgery wing.

Fred married Living [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Roby married Myrtle Alice Campbell about 1938 in Carter County, , , Tennessee. Myrtle (daughter of Dayton Charles Campbell and Clara Elizabeth "Bessie" Grindstaff) was born on 16 Feb 1918 in Carter County, , , Tennessee; died on 9 Sep 2002 in Carter County, , , Tennessee; was buried in Old Horseshoe Freewill Baptist Church Cemetery, , Carter County, Tennessee. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Mrs. Myrtle Campbell Bowers Carden, 84, 470 Blue Springs Road,
Elizabethton, died Monday, September 9, 2002, at Pine Ridge Care
Center.
Mrs. Carden was a native of Carter County and a daughter of the
late Dayton C. and Bessie Grindstaff Campbell. She was also preceded
in death by her first husband, Roby D. Bowers, November 19, 1986, and
by four brothers and three sisters.
Mrs. Carden was a former Girl Scout Leader and a member of the Church
of God.
Survivors include her husband, William M. Bill Carden; a son and
daughter-in-law, Fred C. and Ruth Bowers, Elizabethton; a step-son and
his wife, Harley and Marcelline Carden, Elizabethton; three granddaughters
and their spouses, Debbie and Larry Gouge, Elizabethton, Betsy Bowers,
Pensacola, Fla., and Roberta and Noel Muhn, Erwin; five great-grandchildren,
Jamis and Jerran Gouge, both of Elizabethton, and Justin, Daniel and
Brittany Muhn, all of Erwin; a step-grandson and his wife, Dalerick and
Cathy Carden, Atlanta, Ga.; two step-great-grandchildren, Courtney and
Caroline Carden; two sisters, Mollie Bowers and Catherine Smith, both of
Elizabethton; and two brothers, D.C. Campbell and Sherrell Campbell,
both of Elizabethton. Several nieces and nephews also survive.

Petibone married Sallie Cora Berry on 16 Aug 1903 in Carter County, , , Tennessee. Sallie (daughter of Samuel Murry Berry and Mary Catharine Buckles) was born on 2 May 1882 in Carter County, , , Tennessee; died on 4 Sep 1970 in Carter County, , , Tennessee; was buried in Pearl Bowers Cemetery, , Carter County, Tennessee. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Dayton married Clara Elizabeth "Bessie" Grindstaff about 1917 in Carter County, , , Tennessee. Clara (daughter of Doctor Joseph "D. J." Grindstaff and Nancy Catherine Osborn) was born on 1 Jan 1895 in Johnson County, , , Tennessee; died in Sep 1974 in Carter County, , , Tennessee; was buried in Caldwell Springs Baptist Church Cemetery, , Carter County, Tennessee. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Teter married Mary E. Anderson on 6 Aug 1866 in Carter County, , , Tennessee. Mary (daughter of Richard Anderson and Susannah Oliver) was born on 28 Jun 1842 in Carter County, , , Tennessee; died on 22 Aug 1920 in Carter County, , , Tennessee; was buried in Pearl Bowers Cemetery, , Carter County, Tennessee. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Samuel married Mary Catharine Buckles about 1878 in Carter County, , , Tennessee. Mary (daughter of James A. Buckles and Sarah A. Bowers) was born on 20 Nov 1862 in Carter County, , , Tennessee; died on 17 Apr 1938 in Carter County, , , Tennessee; was buried in Buckles Cemetery, , Carter County, Tennessee. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

"Elizabethton Star," Friday, June 16, 1950
D. J. GRINDSTAFF
D. J. Grindstaff, age 72, died at his home route 3, Friday morning after a lingering illness.
Mr. Grindstaff was a member of the Poplar Grove Missionary Baptist Church.
Survivors are his wife Mrs. Nancy Catherine Grindstaff; three daughters, Mrs. Bessie Campbell, route 5, Elizabethton; Mrs. Letha Grindstaff, route 5, Elizabethton; Mrs. Alice Coal, route 6, Elizabethton; four sons, Clayton Grindstaff, route 5, Elizabethton; John Grindstaff, Big Stone Gap, Va.; Cecil Grindstaff, Rhoda, Va.; Mitchell Grindstaff, route 3, Elizabethton; one brother, Vaught Grindstaff, Carderview; one sister, Mrs. Sarah Jane Grindstaff, route 5, Elizabethton; 50 grandchildren, 40 great-grandchildren.
Funeral services will be conducted Sunday afternoon at 2 p.m.
Arrangements are incomplete.
The body will be returned to the home of Mitchell Grindstaff, route 3, Elizabethton, Friday.

GRINDSTAFF, D. J.
"Elizabethton Star," Sunday, June 18, 1950
D. J. GRINDSTAFF
D. J. Grindstaff, age 72, died at his home, Route 3, Elizabethton, Friday morning after a lingering illness.
Mr. Grindstaff was a member of the Poplar Grove Missionary Baptist Church.
Survivors are his wife, Mrs. Nancy Catherine Grindstaff; three daughters, Mrs. Bessie Campbell, Route 5, Elizabethton, Mrs. Letha Grindstaff, Route 5, Elizabethton, Mrs. Alice Coal, Route 6, Elizabethton.
Four sons, Clayton Grindstaff, Route 5, Elizabethton, John Grindstaff, Big Stone Gap, Va., Cecil Grindstaff, Rhoda, Va., Mitchell Grindstaff, Route 3, Elizabethton.
One brother, Vaught Grindstaff, Carderview, one sister, Mrs. Sarah Jane Grindstaff, Route 5, Elizabethton; 50 grandchildren, 40 great grandchildren.
Funeral services will be conducted Sunday afternoon at 2:00 o'clock from the Dungan Chapel Baptist Church with Rev. Ed Burnett and Rev. Brooks, pastor of Dungan's Chapel Baptist Church, officiating.
Burial will be made in the Ensor Cemetery.
The body was returned to the home of Mitchell Grindstaff Friday afternoon and will remain there until 1:00 o'clock Sunday when it will be removed to the church.
Roy Hathaway Funeral Home in charge.

Doctor married Nancy Catherine Osborn about 1892 in Johnson County, , , Tennessee. Nancy (daughter of Alexander Osborn and Anna (Osborn)) was born in Dec 1873 in Johnson County, , , Tennessee; died in 1953 in , Giles County, Tennessee, ; was buried in 1953 in Elizabethton, , Carter County, Tennessee. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]