Eleanor Veazey Bowers

At age 90, Eleanor Veazey Bowers passed away peacefully on May 4, 2008, after an extended illness. Eleanor was born in Athens, Georgia, on April 30, 1918, while her parents, the late Eli and Ellie Veazey were temporary residents of Athens. They moved back to Greensboro, Georgia, their former hometown, shortly after Eleanor''s birth. She was the wife of devoted husband and "love of her life", Bates. B. Bowers, Sr., and they have resided together in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida with their daughter, Becky, since 2001. Prior residences included Atlanta, Dunwoody, and Savannah, Georgia, Montgomery and Dothan, Alabama, and briefly of Tampa, Florida, and Chattanooga, Tennessee. Eleanor is the sister of E.L. "Link" Veazey (Col. US Army, Retired) of Snellville, Georgia; Charlton S. Veazey, Sr. of Greensboro, Georgia; and the late Jeane Veazey Christopher of Stockbridge, Georgia. Eleanor completed her elementary and high school education in Greensboro, and entered Bessie Tift College in Forsyth, Georgia, in 1935. In 1937, she left college and moved to Atlanta and was employed by Retail Credit Company, now Equifax, where she met fellow-employee, Bates Bowers. After their first date on the day they met, the romance flourished and they were later married on April 29, 1939.

Eleanor''s two sons and daughter presented her with six grandchildren and two great-grandsons, all of whom brought great joy into her life. Her oldest son, Bates (Barry) B. Bowers, Jr., widower of his late wife, Martha, resides in Griffin, Georgia. His son Bates (Britt) B. Bowers, III, with wife Tammy and son Bates (Brin) B. Bowers, IV, reside in Johns Creek, Georgia. Eleanor''s younger son, Robert (Bob) W. Bowers and wife, Kitty, reside in Lawrenceville, Georgia. They have two sons, Brandon L. Bowers, along with wife Brandee, who reside in Flowery Branch, Georgia, and Blake A. Bowers, who resides in Alpharetta, Georgia. Daughter Rebecca (Becky) B. Caldwell, widow of her late husband, Mike, resides in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida and has two daughters and one son. Christie N. Caldwell along with son, Troy, reside in Atkins, Virginia and Kelly J. Caldwell resides in Cumberland, Maryland. Son R. Cameron (Cam) Caldwell is temporarily residing in Jacksonville, Florida.

Though busily occupied through the years with the duties of homemaker, wife, mother, and grandmother, Eleanor nevertheless found time to engage in her favorite activities of reading, playing bridge, bowling, and flower-gardening, in all of which she excelled, and also of attending and TV-viewing sporting events. She was an avid UGA Bulldog and Atlanta Braves fan. She had a great love for children and for many years taught children''s Sunday School and served as a Brownie and Girl Scout troop leader. A lifelong Baptist, she also had a leadership role in the women''s organization of her churches focusing on foreign missions.

Eleanor has always put her children''s and husband''s interests ahead of her own, regardless of the sacrifices she had to make personally during the early years of child-bearing and a€"rearing. This complete devotion served as a sterling example to her children, and instilled in them the true meaning of familial love and a deep spiritual awareness which have been demonstrated in their own lives.

She also had a great fondness for travel and accompanied husband, Bates, on many business trips. Their travels together throughout their 69 years of marriage have included numerous pleasure trips as well, traveling coast to coast, visiting neighboring countries, and cruising in the Caribbean. Eleanor, along with Bates, were members of the "Georgia Freewheelers" enjoying the company and traveling together with other recreational vehicle enthusiasts.

Eleanor has always been loved and admired not only for her natural beauty, but for her equally beautiful and loving spirit as well. She was the consummate wife, mother, and grandmother... ... a true Southern Lady. Beautiful memories of her and the wonderful woman she was will live on forever in the hearts of family and friends.

A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, May 17, 2008, at the First Baptist Church of Greensboro, Georgia. The family will receive visitors beginning at 12:00 PM in the Church Social Hall, the Memorial Service will follow in the Sanctuary at 1:30 PM, and interment will be at Greensboro City Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that contributions be made to Vitas Hospice Care, 1901 S. Congress Avenue, #420, Boynton Beach, FL 33426 with mention of Team #301.

McCommons Funeral Home, 109 W. Broad St., Greensboro, GA, (706) 453-2626, is in charge of arrangements. Visit us at www.mccommonsfuneralhome.com to sign the online guest register.

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