Melba Jean Bowers was born the daughter of Jess L. Tharp and Lottie B. Nickels Tharp, on April 20, 1935 in Saddle, Arkansas. She departed this life on October 7, 2018, at her home in Sedalia, Missouri, at the age of 83 years.
She was united in marriage to Herbert Bowers on October 29, 1951, in Mammoth Spring, Arkansas and they spent 67 wonderful years as husband and wife.
She is survived by her husband, Herbert Bowers of Sedalia, Missouri; her daughter, Phyllis Golden of Sedalia, Missouri; three brothers, Jessie Tharp of Madison, Georgia, Bobby Tharp of Crump, Tennessee, and Jerry Tharp of Tuckerman, Arkansas; one sister, Euretta Smith of Osceola, Arkansas; five grandchildren, Michael David Golden of Sedalia, Missouri, Nancy Daugherty of Concordia, Missouri, Michael Allen DeShazo of Thayer, Missouri, Christopher DeShazo of Springfield, Missouri, and Brian Smith of Thayer, Missouri; nine great grandchildren; many nieces, nephews; other relatives and a host of friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Jess and Lottie Tharp; one daughter, Regina Lynn; one son-in-law, Paul Golden; four brothers, Jimmy, Donald, Hubie and James Tharp; two sisters, Mary Lou Bennett and Peggy Sue Stone; and one grandchild, Jennifer Collins.
Jean was a former member of the First Baptist Church in Thayer, Missouri and later became a member and attended Broadway Baptist Church in Sedalia, Missouri.
She was a dedicated homemaker and was employed by Puritan Fashions in Thayer for many years. She was an excellent seamstress and did custom sewing for others. She enjoyed and took great pride in making cheerleader uniforms for the Thayer Bobcat Cheerleaders.
Jean served as custodian for the Thayer First Baptist Church. She helped mold the life of countless children as she worked in the church nursery for many enjoyable years.
She had a love for gardening, canning, reading and crocheting.
She will be remembered as deeply devoted to her family, a good friend and neighbor. Miss Jean will truly be missed by all that knew her.
Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, October 10, 2018 at 10:00 AM at the Carter Funeral Home Chapel, in Thayer, Missouri, with Adam Rouse officiating.
Family will receive friends at the funeral home, on Wednesday from 9:00 AM until service time.
Interment will be in Thayer Cemetery with services under the direction of Carter Funeral Home, Inc. in Thayer.