Bernice Evelyn Cole Bowers-Garren: Obituary

Bernice Evelyn Cole Bowers-Garren, age 86, passed away on May 1, 2018 in the Stonehenge Assisted Living. She was born April 24, 1932 in Fannin County, Georgia to the late Elmer Cole and Stella Jones Cole.

Although stricken with severe dementia, Bernice never forgot the Lord and her commitment to follow God’s plan. Even though she didn’t recognize her family and friends she could be heard each night at bedtime saying her prayers to God, giving thanks and asking for God to be with her. Bernice loved spending time with her family and church family. She was also preceded in death by two husbands; Ralph Bowers of 49 years and Warden Garren of 7 years of marriage; one grandson, Reggie Burnette.

She is survived by her son, Edward (Edwina) Bowers, daughters; Linda (Junior) Burnette and Sheila (Vance) Ingle; two step-daughters: Shirley Nicholson and Vondell (Jimmy) Ensley; four grandsons: Brian (Allison) Johnson, Ted (Amy) Bowers, Erik Ingle and Alex Ingle; great-grandchildren: Jordan Johnson, Maddie Johnson, Mackenzie Johnson, Noah Burnette, Lillian Bowers, Brandt Bowers and McKinley Bramlett.

Funeral services will be conducted on Thursday, May 3, 2018 at 7:30 p.m. from the Chapel of the Akins Funeral Home of Blue Ridge with Min. Keith Ritchie officiating. Music will be provided by Min. Roy Conner. Interment will follow privately on Friday, May 4, 2018 in the McCaysville Church of Christ Cemetery with the following gentlemen serving as pallbearers: Brian Johnson, Ted Bowers, Erik Ingle, Alex Ingle, Junior Burnette and Vance Ingle. The family will receive friends at the funeral home prior to the service on Thursday from 4:00 p.m. until the service hour of 7:30 p.m. For those desiring, memorial contributions may be made to Regency Hospice at P.O. Box 494 Hiawassee, GA 30546. Condolences may be sent to the family online at www.akinsfuneralhome.com. Akins Funeral Home of Blue Ridge is in charge of the arrangements.