Rebecca B. Bowen, 84, from Carthage, NC, died January 7, 2023. A native of Moore County, Rebecca served the community as a teacher for 33 years, the majority of which was at Sandhills Farm Life Elementary School. She enjoyed her students and saw many of them regularly through the years. When in public, former students would greet her with a smile and laughter ensued as they relived fun memories of school days.
Rebecca grew up on a tobacco farm, working with cousins through the entire process from seeding to sale. Recollections by the cousins of the questionable “good old days” always included a description of the hard work and the lessons learned about work ethic and the importance of fun when the work was done.
Retirement years included time with family and lots of travel, both across this country and abroad. If a car or bus (sometimes a plane) was going somewhere, Rebecca was ready to go. She enjoyed the mountains and the beach equally. One of her favorite trips was to Arichonan, Scotland, the homeland of her ancestors. Family history was important to Rebecca so she was an active member in the family’s genealogical society, Sept of Blue, serving as their treasurer for many years.
A life-long member of Culdee Presbyterian Church in West End, Rebecca served her Lord from an early age. As a teenager, she was teaching Bible lessons at Circle meetings she attended with her mother and sister. Singing in the choir and teaching Sunday School for many years were fulfilling activities. Rebecca performed many duties within the Presbyterian Women of the Church including serving as President multiple times. Her faith was strong and carried her through the many phases of life.
Most recently she enjoyed spending time with family and her classmates from her Farm Life High School days. They brought much joy and laughter. Strawberry ice cream and milkshakes accompanying a good hot dog were frequent requests while she tuned in to western tv shows.
Rebecca Bowen was preceded in death by Jene, her husband of 55 years, her granddaughter Sarah Ann, and her sister and brother-in-law, Peggy and Byng Gibbs. She is survived by her daughter, Diann Fortune and husband, Dennis and their son, Nicholas of Southern Pines; and son, Ronald Bowen of Carthage and his daughter Grace of California along with many extended family.
A Celebration of Rebecca Bowen’s Life, officiated by Culdee’s pastor Reverend Connie Weaver, will be held at Culdee Presbyterian Church in West End on Thursday, January 12th at 11:00 am. The family is being served by Jernigan-Warren Funeral Home in Fayetteville. For those so inclined, contributions may be mailed to Sept of Blue Genealogical Society in care of Patti Burke at 265 Blue Siding Road, Carthage, NC 28327.
Online condolences may be sent to http://www.jerniganwarren.com
Services entrusted to Jernigan-Warren Funeral Home, 545 Ramsey St., Fayetteville, NC 28301
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