Lena Fowler

Lena Fowler, 89, passed away the morning of Sunday, August 21, 2022. She is survived by her two daughters, Judy Glover and Pat Ausloos; six grandchildren, Todd Wood, Charity Myers, Amber Ezell, Sharon Glover, Terry Creel and Jerry Creel; thirteen great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her granddaughter, Starla Creel. Lena was born January 30, 1933, in Chipley, Florida. She was the last living child of Joseph and Neta Mae Jowers. Lena grew up surrounded by a close-knit family that included nine brothers and sisters: Shirley, Rena, Buddy, Pete, Alford, Margaret, Velma, Buford and Audrey. Lena’s childhood memories always included a very full house where everyone pitched in and where laughter and song were woven with love throughout each chore and celebration. She often said how fortunate she felt to have so many brothers and sisters and was grateful to be a part of such a big family. Lena will be remembered as a creative, resourceful, faithful, beautiful, loving and feisty woman whose talents and devotion helped create a warm and inviting home. From the curtains and crocheted bed covers that decorated their house to the buttermilk biscuits that filled bellies and soothed souls—Lena’s elegant hands shaped and comforted so many of us. There wasn’t much that her biscuits, sausage and tomato gravy couldn’t fix, and she always made sure to have plenty on-hand when family and friends came to visit. After her daughters started to school, Lena began working at the local peanut mill. Later, she went to work as a seamstress for Warner’s and then Vanity Fair where she was known for her precision, reliability and efficiency. Although petite in stature, Lena was tough. She had little trouble speaking up for herself and her fellow workers when she felt the all-male management’s decisions were unfair. She was proud of her work and she was happy to use her talents to help build a better life for her family. After sewing in the factory all day, she would come home and spend many more hours sewing dresses and clothes for her two daughters. She made sure the girls were always beautifully dressed regardless of the occasion and despite her oldest daughter’s protests. Fortunate to find her soulmate at 16, Lena worked hard because family was the most important thing to her. She was genuinely adored by her husband of 73 years, Tommy, who passed away earlier this year. Their love and loyalty to each other and the Lord could be felt by everyone who was fortunate enough to know them. Although they both worked full time jobs outside the home, Lena and Tommy sustained a farm that provided so much for their family and others in the community. In the summer, Lena spent endless hours, alongside her children and grandchildren, preparing fruits and vegetables for canning and preserving. At the end of those long summer days, Lena always made sure everyone went home with tomatoes for sandwiches and jars full of preserves. Many will remember Lena for her love of music and her singing in the church choir. Our hearts are warmed by so many memories of her lovely voice, her talented and helpful hands, her beautiful and inviting face and her strong and affectionate embrace. Services will be held 11 a.m., Tuesday, August 23, 2022, at First Baptist Church in Graceville, Florida. Her burial will be in New Home Baptist Church Cemetery with James & Lipford Funeral Home in Graceville directing. Family will receive friends at the First Baptist Church, Tuesday, 10 a.m. until time of services.

Lena Fowler

January 30, 1933 - August 21, 2022