James T. Bowers

James married Mary Elizabeth Cannon on 19 Sep 1852 in Carter County, , , Tennessee. Mary was born in Jan 1830 in North Carolina, , , ; died before 1910 in Carter County, , , Tennessee. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

William married Elizabeth Ann "Liza" Hackett on 12 Feb 1871 in Carter County, , , Tennessee. Elizabeth was born in Mar 1856 in , Giles County, Tennessee, . [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Robert married Emily J. "Emma" Jenkins about 1885 in Carter County, , , Tennessee. Emily (daughter of Elijah Jenkins and Angeline Crow) was born in Sep 1864 in Carter County, , , Tennessee; died on 27 Jan 1945 in Carter County, , , Tennessee; was buried in Wilson Cemetery, , Carter County, Tennessee. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

John married Minnie Williams about 1890 in Carter County, , , Tennessee. Minnie was born about 1870 in Carter County, , , Tennessee. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Daniel married Bertha Oliver about 1902 in , Giles County, Tennessee, . Bertha (daughter of Elijah D. H. Oliver and Matilda Collins) was born on 10 Feb 1888 in Carter County, , , Tennessee; died in SP 1978 in Greene County, , , Tennessee; was buried in Onks Cemetery, , Washington County, Tennessee. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Lawson G Smith and James L Bowers, both from Fish Springs, were brothers-in-law and best friends. They were both shot to death during an argument at a pie supper on March 15, 1913. The argument was over "outsiders" from Siam who some of the local girls had invited to the supper. That didn't set well with Lawson and Jim, and at some point in the evening, "Bowers and Smith finished their supper, left their seats and walked hurriedly" toward the boys from Siam, where the two "attacked the boys viciously." The outsiders pulled out their concealed pistols and shot Jim and Lawson. "Bowers was shot at such close range that the front of his double-breasted blue serge suit was set on fire. . . . A few seconds later, Lawson Smith fell heavily as the well-aimed bullets riddled his body" (pg. 17). Timbs writes that not too long before their tragic deaths, they had been warned by an elderly resident to "'settle down and stop all this trouble making.'" Jim Bowers' reply: "'I'll never settle down. I want to die with my boot on'" (17).

Jim Bowers and his best friend, Lawson Smith, were buried side by side in a single grave, originally at the old Fish Springs Cemetery (aka Smith Cemetery). Their remains were reinterred at Rittertown Baptist Church Cemetery near Hampton due to the TVA Watauga project. Their epitaph reads: "Let our Father's will be done."

This story is taken from Mountain Memories: Stories of Old Fish Springs, Tennessee, by Lawrence C. Timbs, 1968 (self-published). Lawrence Timbs admits that many versions of this story have been reported; however, he selected this version, he says, from an eye witness, "which in my opinion comes closer to factual information than all the others."

James married Nellie O. Smith on 15 Feb 1908 in Carter County, , , Tennessee. Nellie (daughter of William G. Brownlow Smith and Mary Elizabeth "Mollie" Matheson) was born in Mar 1889 in Carter County, , , Tennessee; died about 1973 in Carter County, , , Tennessee; was buried in Rittertown Baptist Church Cemetery, , Carter County, Tennessee. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

George married Esse E. Stout on 4 Jul 1914 in Carter County, , , Tennessee. Esse (daughter of Anderson K. Stout and Julia Ann Cassidy) was born about 1895; died on 2 Jul 1991 in Carter County, , , Tennessee; was buried in Happy Valley Memorial Park, , Carter County, Tennessee. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: Unknown. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Bruce married Living [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Clinton married Virginia "Virgie" Calloway on 31 Aug 1919 in Carter County, , , Tennessee. Virginia was born about 1903 in North Carolina, , , . [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Ella married Joseph Wheeler Hicks on 22 Oct 1921 in Sullivan County, , , Tennessee. Joseph (son of Robert Lee Hicks and Martha Rebecca Lyon) was born on 28 Dec 1898 in Sullivan County, , , Tennessee; died on 23 Feb 1937 in Washintgon County, , , Tennessee; was buried in Onks Cemetery, , Washington County, Tennessee. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Smith married Luella Vines about 1930 in , Giles County, Tennessee, . Luella was born on 1 Feb 1915 in Washintgon County, , , Tennessee; died on 19 Sep 2003 in Knox County, , , Tennessee; was buried in Eastview Memorial Gardens, , Knox County, Tennessee. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Mrs. Ora Glenna Oliver, 79, 982 Old Gray Station Road, Gray, died Saturday, April 3, 1999, at her residence following a lengthy illness.

Mrs. Oliver was a native of Sullivan County but had lived most of her life in Washington County. She was a daughter of the late Daniel and Bertha Oliver Bowers and was also preceded in death by her husband, Robert Paul Oliver, in 1994, four brothers and four sisters.

Mrs. Oliver was a homemaker and a member of Midway Baptist Church.

Survivors include two daughters, Janette Foxx Conley and Carolyn Gouge, both of Gray; a son, Robert Wayne Oliver, Johnson City; a brother, Howell Bowers, Chuckey; three granddaughters, Cindy Oliver Walker, Jana Gouge Wilson and Tammy Oliver Wilson; and a grandson, Jay P. Gouge. Four great-grandsons, a great-granddaughter and several nieces and nephews also survive.

Morris-Baker Funeral Home, 2001 Oakland Avenue, Johnson City, (423) 282-1521, is in charge of arrangements.

OLIVER -- Funeral services for Mrs. Ora Glenna Oliver, 79, 982 Old Gray Station Road, Gray, who died Saturday, will be conducted at 8 p.m. Monday at the Morris-Baker South Chapel with Rev. William Taylor officiating. Graveside services will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday at Monte Vista Burial Park. Those attending are invited to meet at the funeral home by 10:40 a.m. Tuesday to go in procession to the cemetery. Active pallbearers will be Jay Gouge, Richard Wilson, Todd Walker, Lee Wilson, Erik Hilton and Michael Wilson.

Ora married Robert Paul Oliver about 1937 in , Giles County, Tennessee, . Robert (son of John Wesley Oliver and Nancy Anne Boyer) was born on 16 Nov 1910 in , Giles County, Tennessee, ; died on 29 Jan 1994 in Washintgon County, , , Tennessee; was buried in Monte Vista Memorial Park, , Washington County, Tennessee. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Lt. Col. (ret.) Floyd H. Bowers USAF (Retired), age 88, of Division Street, Elizabethton, died Friday, Feb. 11, 2005, at his residence following a brief illness. A native of Carter County, he was a son of the late George T. and
Essie Stout Bowers. Lt. Col. Bowers retired from the United States Air Force after 25 years of service. He was a combat veteran serving during WWII, flying in B-17 and B- 24's. He was awarded several WWII combat ribbons and the Air
Force Commendation Medal. Lt. Col Bowers also served during the Korean Conflict. He retired as Lieutenant Colonel with a B-52 crew.

Mr. Bowers was a member of the First Baptist Church of Elizabethton.

He was a graduate of Elizabethton High School, and received his B.S. degree from Milligan College in 1941, and his Masters degree from the University of Tennessee in 1949. Mr. Bowers had his first teaching job at Horseshoe Dam,
Carter County. He taught at Tennessee Technology School at Elizabethton, Happy Valley High School, Elizabethton High School, Hampton High School, and T.A Dugger Jr. High School. Mr. Bowers was a member of the Dashiell Masonic Lodge
#238 F&AM, and was a Shriner, and a member of the Jericho Temple. He is preceded in death by a brother, William A. Bowers.

The funeral service will be conducted at 8 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 13, 2005, in the Riverside Chapel of Tetrick Funeral Home, with the Rev. Brent Seals officiating. The eulogy will be presented by Mr. Edward Bowers. Music will be
under the direction of Mr. John Bunn. The graveside service and interment will
be conducted at 11 a.m. Monday, Feb. 14, at Happy Valley Memorial Park, Elizabethton, with full military honors provided by Shaw Airforce Base Honor Guard, Sumter, S.C.

Floyd married Mildred Ruby Nave on 8 Dec 1941 in Carter County, , , Tennessee. Mildred (daughter of William McKinley Nave and Laura Elizabeth Nidiffer) was born about 1922 in Carter County, , , Tennessee; died on 3 Jan 2016 in Carter County, , , Tennessee; was buried in Happy Valley Memorial Park, , Carter County, Tennessee. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Lonnie married John Wesley "Shack" Williams on 15 Aug 1929 in Carter County, , , Tennessee. John (son of David Charles Williams and Sallie Taylor) was born on 25 Aug 1883 in Carter County, , , Tennessee; died on 28 Mar 1977 in Carter County, , , Tennessee; was buried in Caldwell Springs Baptist Church Cemetery, , Carter County, Tennessee. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Millard Arthur Bowers, 80, of Elizabethton, peacefully went home to be with the Lord on Thursday, August 15, 2019, surrounded by family and friends. Millard was born in Carter County to the late Bruce and Mabel Campbell Bowers. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by three sisters, Vada Croome, Nyoka Johnson and Lena Scalf, and one brother, Charles Stophel.
Millard was a loving husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather and great-great-grandfather. He attended Willow Springs Baptist Church and had worked for the Chair Factory for decades and for Colonial Machinery for eight years. Millard was a member of the Croquet Club and enjoyed spending time outside and with his dog and other animals. He also enjoyed watching preaching and singing on television and fishing. Everyone called him Papaw, even if they weren't related.
Those left to cherish his memory include his wife, Betty June Bowers, of the home; his children, Linda Shyder and husband Clyde, Brenda Doran and husband Denver and his claimed daughter, Teresa Fregale and husband Dan; three grandsons, Arthur Stevens, James Stevens and wife Amber, and Timothy Pendlebury; three great-grandsons, William Stevens, Frances Stevens and Hunter Stevens; one great-great-granddaughter, Marcia Brooke Knox; one brother, Sidney Bowers; and one sister, Frances Guerra. Several nieces and nephews also survive.
A service to honor and celebrate the life of Millard Arthur Bowers will be conducted at 2 p.m. Saturday, August 17, in the Chapel of Peace at Tetrick Funeral Home, Elizabethton, with Anna, from Ballad Hospice, giving a eulogy. The family will receive friends in the funeral home chapel from noon until 2 p.m. Saturday, prior to the service, or at the residences of his daughters, Brenda Doran or Linda Snyder, or at the home of his wife, Betty, at other times. The graveside service will follow in the Bowers Family Cemetery on Willow Springs Road in Elizabethton. Active pallbearers will be Robert Reed, James Stevens, Gary Markland, Timothy Pendlebury and others selected from family and friends.

Eston married Living [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Eston married Elizabeth Ann Simmons on 15 Jun 1969 in Coffee County, , , Tennessee. Elizabeth was born on 9 Sep 1947 in Coffee County, , , Tennessee; died on 14 Mar 2021 in Davidson County, , , Tennessee. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

ELIZABETHTON - Lillian Louise Bowers Royston, 90, Elizabethton, passed away Friday, October 12, 2018 at Sycamore Shoals Hospital.

A native of Carter County, she was a daughter of the late Clint & Virginia Calloway Bowers. Mrs. Royston was a retired seamstress and homemaker. She was of the Baptist Faith. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband Clyde Royston, an infant sister, and her brothers: James, Eston, and Albert Bowers.

Survivors include her children: Shirley (Rev. Ray) Stockton, Marion, North Carolina, Barbara (Martin) Ledford, Concord, North Carolina, Linda (Roger) Hardin and Jerry Royston, all of Elizabethton. Ten Grandchildren, several great great grandchildren and four great great great grandchildren. Three Sisters: Evelyn Blevins, Helen Buckles and Nannie Morris all of Elizabethton. Several nieces & nephews. One Aunt: Mary Lou Buckles, Elizabethton.

Graveside Service will be conducted at 3 p.m. Monday, October 15, 2018 in Happy Valley Memorial Park with the Rev. Kenneth Grindstaff officiating. Burial will follow the service. Music will be provided by her granddaughter: Heather Radford. Active Pallbearers who are requested to assemble at the funeral home will be: Tyler Warren, John Hardin, Kennon Everall, Keith Stockton, Logan Everall and Mike Stockton. Honorary Pallbearers will be: Lawrence Radford, Randy Stockton, Garrett Stockton, Travis Royston, Danny Hutchins, Robbie Hutchins and all other great, great great and great great great grandchildren.

Lillian married Living [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Living married Living [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Evelyn Blevins, age 84, of Elizabethton, TN passed away peacefully at her son’s home surrounded by her family on Thursday, May 18, 2023. She was the daughter of the late Clint and Virgie Bowers. Evelyn was a very sweet and kind woman who loved her grandchildren. She enjoyed traveling, collecting antiques and going to yard sales. Evelyn was of the Baptist faith. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her three brothers, Eston Bowers, Albert Bowers and James Bowers and two sisters, Lillian Royston and Nannie Morris. Those left to cherish her memory are her two sons, Danny Blevins (Carolyn) and Jeff Blevins (Robin), all of Elizabethton; grandchildren, Brandon Blevins (Whitney), Brianna Papantoniou (Nick), Brandy Arnett (Tyler), all of Elizabethton and Brad Hushour, of Knoxville; sister, Helen Buckles, of Elizabethton and great-grandchildren, Colby Blevins, Brycen Blevins and Dalson Arnett, all of Elizabethton and her grand-dogs, Tyson and Skye and many nieces and nephews also survive. The family will receive friends between the hours of 10:00 AM until 11:00 AM on Monday, May 22, 2023, at Tetrick Funeral Home, Elizabethton. The graveside service and committal will follow the visitation on Monday in the Happy Valley Memorial Park with Reverend Chris Hughes officiating. Pallbearers will be selected from family and friends. The family would like to give a special thank you to Carolyn Blevins, Robin Gibson and Kim Gibson for all their help taking care of Evelyn during this difficult time. The family would also like to thank the Schaff family: Frank, Merry, Bill, the late Bob Schaff and Jane Schaff for all their kindness throughout the years.