Obituary: Agnes Blair Roach Bowers
"Agnes was a lady" was a fitting tribute from Dad after finding that mother had passed away Monday, Dec. 20, 2010, in Payson, Ariz.
Agnes Bowers was born April 25, 1917, to Wilbur Charles "Roxey" Roach and Nellie Mae Stewart in Windber, Pa. She was the sixth of 14 brothers and sisters. She attended Tawas City High School in Tawas City, Mich., and, after graduation, attended County Normal School in Iosco County, Mich., for the required one year to achieve her teaching certificate.
Agnes married Judson Lloyd Bowers May 28, 1938, in Michigan and they began their adventure, which lasted 72 years of married life. They had five children, Judson Lloyd Bowers, Roxey Wayne Bowers, Kay Ann Houghton, Robert Alva Bowers and Susan Blair Bowers.
She loved the outdoors, whether it was the beauties of Alaska or the serenity of the Arizona desert. One of her favorite things to do was hunt with dad and her sons. She mentioned to her nurse Sunday night that she hoped to get her strength back so she could go turkey hunting in April with dad and her sons, Judd and Roxey.
Besides her large extended family, Agnes loved to teach children. On Valentine's Day of 2007, she was honored by the Arizona Blue Cross/Blue Shield Ageless Heroes award for her contributions in the Love of Learning category. This school year, she continued tutoring second-graders who needed help in reading and math at Julia Randall Elementary School, Payson. Serving others was vital to her and she instilled this in her children through her own actions.
Agnes is survived by her husband, Judson; her children, Judd and wife Cathy, Roxey and wife Judy, Kay Ann and husband Bill and Robert and wife Karen; 26 grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; brothers Robert (Polly) Roach of Michigan and Richard (Lois) of Michigan; and sisters Betty (Joe) Daly of Michigan and Anita Davis of Arizona. She was predeceased by her parents; brothers and sisters Margaret, John, Stewart, George, Dorothy, James, Donald and Roxey; daughter Susan; and grandson Grant Bowers.
A viewing will be Sunday, Dec. 26, 2010, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at Messengers' Funeral Home. Services for Agnes will be 10 a.m. Monday, Dec. 27, at the Community Presbyterian Church, 800 W. Main St., Payson, Ariz. A brief graveside service will be in Dewey, Ariz., at 2 p.m. at the Heritage Memorial Park cemetery, 12000 Heritage Memorial Lane off Fain Road, across from the Prescott Country Club on Highway 69.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to Julia Randall Elementary School, P.O. Box 919, Payson, AZ 85547, to help the children. Please include "Agnes Bowers Fund" on the contribution.
Information provided by survivors.
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