Kathryn "Gayle" Bowen's Obituary
Kathryn “Gayle” Bowen was born on November 7, 1962, in Albuquerque, New Mexico, to Nelson Bryant Bowen and Veva Dale Bowen. Her family moved several times while Gayle was still in grade school before finally planting their roots on Lake Keystone, just outside of Cleveland, OK. Gayle was always very outgoing and full of life, even as a child, and gained the opportunity to star in a few television commercials for the mobile home park her mother managed. Gayle attended Cleveland High School where she was an active member of both the FHA and FFA. She also played the clarinet for the Cleveland High School Marching Band. While in high school Gayle worked evenings and weekends as a waitress at The Cove, a local diner that was located out on the lake until she graduated in 1981. Following graduation, Gayle worked at various jobs, including McDonalds in Sand Springs as a birthday hostess, Bank of Oklahoma in Sand Springs as a teller, and Bowden’s Convenience Stores in Sand Springs as a clerk. In 1988, Gayle was welcomed by the birth of what would be her only child, a daughter, Kelcie. Even though at some points she was forced to work two jobs to help make ends meet, she made it a point to ensure that Kelcie’s life was full of great experiences and memories. During that time she worked as a permit operator at Arch Permit Service in Sand Springs, and as a travel agent at Trase Miller in Tulsa. In her spare time, Gayle enjoyed baking, fishing, hunting, mowing, and spending time with her family. In 1999, exactly one year after losing her husband to cancer, Gayle was involved in a very serious automobile accident which forced her to stay in ICU for several months. She was then released to a rehab facility in order to regain the use of her hands, which both contained compound fractures. Gayle never fully reentered the work force after her accident, but instead focused on becoming a care provider for her mother, Veva, who had fallen ill. After her mother’s passing, Gayle continued to provide care for her father and spent most of her days spending time with her family, watching her granddaughter play softball, mowing the yard, or playing with her two dogs, Brodie and Jaco. In 2011 Gayle was diagnosed with stage 3c ovarian cancer which began her long journey in hopes of recovery. During that time she was able to remain in remission for over a year before the cancer returned. She was a brave and strong individual who battled against the disease fiercely. However, on Friday, June 13, 2014, her battle finally came to an end. Gayle is survived by her father, Nelson Bowen, of the home; one daughter, Kelcie Moton and her husband Jesse Moton, of Cleveland; one granddaughter, Jayden Moton of Cleveland; and several aunts, uncles, and cousins. Gayle is preceded in death by her mother, Veva Dale Bowen; and brother, Randall Nelson Bowen.In lieu of flowers, family has asked for donations to be made to Cleveland Area Pound Pals. They can be reached at 918-845-2990 or visit their website at www.clevelandareapoundpals.com/Donate.html. A Memorial Service celebrating Gayle’s life will be held 10:00 AM Friday, June 20, 2014 at Floral Haven Funeral Home Chapel with an Inurnment following in Floral Haven Memorial Gardens, Veterans Extended II.
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