Jerri Bowen's Obituary
Gurlee “Jerri” Bowen, 89, left this earth for her heavenly home on Friday, July 1, 2022. She was born March 16, 1933 in Elsey, MO to Harrison and Minnie Watkins. She was the 11th of 12 children and had a twin brother who did not survive. At around age 11 after her mother died, Jerri went to live with her cousin and her family in Chelsea, OK. Ivon and Junior Nelson took her in, the only girl adding to their three sons. She worked hard and had many chores to do to help care for them all and built a strong work ethic and sense of pride in what she could accomplish. Mike, Tammy and their sons knew Ivon and Junior as their Granny, and Gramps. Jerri graduated from Chelsea High School.
Jerri was a loyal and faithful wife to her husband of 58 years, Frank, before his passing In 2015. She was also a loving devoted mom to their son, Michael Bowen. Although she had one child, there were always many children and friend’s of Mike at their home. She had many jobs and titles beside mother, wife, and homemaker including working for the phone company for many years and as an administrative assistant for several employers. She took much pride in taking good care of her family and it was important to her to have a spotless home. She was a wonderful cook and enjoyed preparing meals for others. She served others well and helped out at church in many various ways, including being a church camp cook at Fall’s Creek. When her two grandsons Matt and Drew came along, she cherished being a grandparent and loving them with her whole heart and they were her pride and joy. They were greatly loved by “Nana and Papa.”
She enjoyed a circle of close friends throughout different times in her life and enjoyed being silly, eating out together (or at home), playing cards in card club, boating at the lake, attending church together, and doing all the girlfriend things. She had such a fun sense of humor and was spunky and “cool” for her time. She kept a regular hair appt with the same hairdresser friend, Donna, for 50+ years and rarely had a hair out of place. She was beautiful and always looked like a million bucks., but her inner spirit was even more beautiful and unforgettable.
She loved watching Mike play sports and was one of his most supportive and vocal fans! She enjoyed many sports on tv and always knew who was playing best and which teams and players needed some work. She and Frank became true OSU fans as soon as Mike began college in Stillwater.
We know Jerri is with her Maker in heaven, and was welcomed by Jesus saying, “Well done, my good and faithful servant”. She loved the Lord and showed his example of love to others. We are eternally grateful for the way she lived her life and what a sweet example and legacy she left for all who knew and loved her.
Jerri is survived by her loving son, Mike Bowen and his wife Tammy; two grandsons, Matt Bowen and his wife Shelby, and Drew Bowen, all of Tulsa; a great granddaughter Avery Bowen; her living siblings and their families, Sharon Wishon and Johnny and Jackie Nelson; her many nieces and nephews, and sister-in-laws and extended family.
She is preceded in death by her parents Harrison and Minnie Watkins, Ivon and Junior Nelson; four biological brothers and five sisters, and two bonus brothers, Robert Nelson and his wife Zella, and Kenny Nelson.
There will be a public visitation from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. (with family greeting from 4-5 pm) on Thursday, July 7, 2022 at Floral Haven. Private family visitation is from 3-4 pm.
For those that are unable to attend the service, you can click on the link to watch it online:
https://webcast.funeralvue.com/events/viewer/75678/hash:ACE4AF58CB836AA5
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