Mary Frances Bowen

Mary Frances (Fran) Bowen, 89, of Myrtle Beach, SC, has gone to be with the Lord. She passed away peacefully at home surrounded by family on Tuesday, May 16th, 2023.
 
Born Mary Frances Fields on November 24th, 1933, in Robeson County, NC, Mary Frances moved to Myrtle Beach in 1963, accepting a teaching position at Woodland Park Elementary School on the Myrtle Beach Air Force Base. During her nearly 30 years at Woodland Park, she was the Curriculum Coordinator, won numerous teaching awards, was president of the International Reading Association and served on the Pee Dee Reading Council. 

Mary Frances will be remembered for her unconditional love of family and friends. Her house was always open to friends, children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. On any given Sunday, you could stop by Fran’s house and find her watching the final round of a golf tournament or other sporting event, explaining to whoever was there, back stories on the players. Not only did she enjoy watching sports, but she was also an athlete in her own right as a college basketball player at UNC Pembroke.

Mary Frances was always willing to listen with patience and kindness, while giving simple, wise advice whenever someone needed it. Mary Frances will also be remembered for her love of gardening. She could recite the names and varieties of all the flowers and plants that grew abundantly throughout her yard. 

She was preceded in death by her husband, William Dalton Bowen, and great-grandson, Trent B. Hill. She is survived by her six children, Larry, Loretta Rose, Jimmy (Dee), Greg (Diane), Penny Benton and Chris. As well as her 10 grandchildren including, Chris Bowen, Jennifer (Rob) Crowe, Joey (Maggie) Bowen, Stephanie Benton, Lindsay (Chris) Gavin, Justin (Emily) Louthen, Matt Rose, Dalton Bowen, Alex Bowen, and Katie (Jon) Welch. One of Fran’s greatest joys was her 11 great-grandchildren, with a 12th great-granddaughter due in June.

A visitation will be held on Tuesday, May 23, 2023, at McMillan-Small Funeral Home from 5:00pm-7:00pm. A church service will follow on Wednesday, May 24, 2023, at 3:00pm at First United Methodist Church in Myrtle Beach, SC, with funeral proceedings to be held at Ocean Woods Memorial Cemetery shortly afterwards.

Mary Frances was a supporter of several charitable causes and organizations. In lieu of flowers or gifts, her family asks that friends and family consider making a donation in her honor to an organization to which she cared for deeply: Brookgreen Gardens (https://www.brookgreen.org/memorial-and-tribute-gifts) / PO Box 3368 Pawleys Island, SC 29585.

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